As the years tick by, the history books will show that the 2022 Presidents Cup was won by the United States – again.
This was the ninth successive staging of the team event in which the US triumphed over the Internationals. The Internationals have only won once in the 14 times the competition has been played.
However, despite the 17 1/2 – 12 1/2 scoreline – which is wider than the 2019 result which the US won 16-14 – I feel that history might reflect that change was in the air at the 2022 event at Quail Hollow Club.
I will be the first to admit that the buildup to this year’s Presidents Cup felt like trying to get excited for an early morning tee time, following an opening-round blowout.
But something about this year’s Presidents Cup resonated with me. An intangible element, far beyond the final points tally and soaring high above the ongoing politics in the men’s professional game. Whether it was that lip-in putt on Saturday evening, Tom Kim’s unbottled energy, or a hand from one of the golfing gods reaching down from above, there was something special about this year’s event.
Leading up to the 14th edition, there was a lot of chatter about how the Presidents Cup could be elevated to say, the hype and intensity of the Ryder Cup.
My favourite suggestion was for the biennial match to evolve into a mixed event, with the gun-slinging superstars from the LPGA Tour. Now, Justin Thomas and Lexi Thompson squaring off against Cameron Smith and Minjee Lee would certainly be worth staying up late to watch. Surely Cam’s ban would have been lifted by then?
The Ryder Cup, which sees the US take on Europe, is one of the great team sports events, and the Presidents Cup is seen by many as very much the poor cousin. I believe that the pendulum can swing. There’s so much talent coming through Asia, not to mention our own Sunshine Tour, that it’s only a matter of time before the Internationals win for the first time since their success at Royal Melbourne in 1998.
I do think that to separate the Presidents Cup from the Ryder Cup, a mixed-team event should be introduced. Can you imagine how many would tune in to it, we have to acknowledge that the strength of the women’s game lies in countries like Korea.
Watching Trevor Immelman’s leadership of the Internationals was inspiring. He brought a team together from different backgrounds, cultures, countries and languages and their antics off the course warmed the heart. I think this is the last time that we were able to take a US win for granted.
– This column first appeared in the November 2022 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine.
