2011 Presidents Cup Discussion Thread

[mvmac]

The first 6 foursomes matches are just hours away!  What matches are you excited for?

"The U.S. has dominated in this format. In 16 sessions since the inaugural Presidents Cup in 1994, the Internationals have earned more points just five times. Since 2000, the U.S. holds a 38-1/2 to 15-1/2 points advantage in foursomes."

http://www.pgatour.com/2011/tournaments/presidentscup

Match 1

Bubba Watson Webb Simpson VS. 1:05 p.m. (local) 9:05 p.m. ET (Wed.) Ernie Els Ryo Ishikawa

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES/RECORDS
Watson - none.
Simpson - none.
Els - six appearances, 16-12-2 record, including 5-6-1 in foursomes.
Ishikawa - one appearance, 3-2-0 record, including 1-1-0 in foursomes.
PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP PARTNERSHIPS
Watson-Simpson - none.
Els-Ishikawa - none.

Match 2

Bill Haas Nick Watney VS. 1:17 p.m. (local) 9:17 p.m. ET (Wed.) Geoff Ogilvy Charl Schwartzel

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES/RECORDS
Haas - none.
Watney - none.
Ogilvy - two appearances, 4-5-0 record, including 0-3-0 in foursomes.
Schwartzel - none.
PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP PARTNERSHIPS
Haas-Watney - none.
Ogilvy-Schwartzel - none.

Match 3

Dustin Johnson Matt Kuchar VS. 1:29 p.m. (local) 9:29 p.m. ET (Wed.) Aaron Baddeley Jason Day

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES/RECORDS
Johnson - none.
Kuchar - none.
Baddeley - none
Day - none.
PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP PARTNERSHIPS
Johnson-Kuchar - none.
Baddeley-Day - none

Match 4

Phil Mickelson Jim Furyk VS. 1:41 p.m. (local) 9:41 p.m. ET (Wed.) Retief Goosen Robert Allenby

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES/RECORDS
Mickelson - eight appearances, 15-13-10 record including 7-6-2 in foursomes
Furyk - six appearances, 15-10-3 record, including 5-3-3 in foursomes
Goosen - five appearances, 11-10-3 record, including 2-6-2 in foursomes
Allenby - five appearances, 8-13-3 record, including 3-5-2 in foursomes
PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP PARTNERSHIPS
Mickelson-Furyk - none
Goosen-Allenby - none

Match 5

Hunter Mahan David Toms VS. 1:53 p.m. (local) 9:53 p.m. ET (Wed.) Kyung-tae Kim Y.E. Yang

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES/RECORDS
Mahan - two appearances, 4-4-1 record, including 2-1-1 in foursomes
Toms - three appearances, 6-7-1 record, including 3-3-0 in foursomes
Kim - none.
Yang - one appearance, 2-2-1 record, including 1-0-1 in foursomes
PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP PARTNERSHIPS
Mahan-Toms - none.
Kim-Yang - none.

Match 6

Tiger Woods Steve Stricker Vs. 2:05 p.m. (local) 10:05 p.m. ET (Wed.) Adam Scott K.J. Choi

PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES/RECORDS
Woods - six appearances, 18-11-1 record, including 9-2-1 in foursomes
Stricker - three appearances, 9-6-0 record, including 4-2-0 in foursomes
Choi - two appearances, 3-6-0 record, including 0-3-0 in foursomes
Scott - four appearances, 8-10-2 record, including 3-4-1 in foursomes
PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS CUP PARTNERSHIPS
Woods-Stricker - Won all four matches together in 2009
Choi-Scott - Lost in four-ball match in 2007

[majorchamp]

I can't believe I am asking this question...why is Rory not playing in the President's cup. I always get confused regarding the Ryder Cup / President's Cup and why particular countries aren't eligible.

[mvmac]

Ryder Cup is Europe, President's Cup is the rest of the world

[JayMc]

I really enjoy this format so I'll be watching the coverage each night this week.  Of course the Tiger match will be one to watch, but I'm curious to see how Toms/Mahan play.  Toms is one of my favorites (geaux tigers!).

[JetFan1983]

I'm really looking forward to this event. And I like all the decisions Freddie's made so far. Too bad I'll probably be passed out before the Tiger-Adam match reaches the turn.

[iacas]

I'm going to Golf Evolution downtown and am going to watch there. Order some pizza, drink some beer (or Mexican Coke). Should be a good time.

We may do a singles round live blog too.

[Shorty]

On behalf of all Australians, please allow me to apologise for the opening ceremony.

What an embarrassment!

[nevets88]

Originally Posted by iacas

I'm going to Golf Evolution downtown and am going to watch there. Order some pizza, drink some beer (or Mexican Coke). Should be a good time.

That sounds like fun. Wish I could join you guys.

What's the deal with Mexican Coke? That's the kosher (or some religious thing) special sugar cane one right?

[The_Pharaoh]

I just can't get excited about the President's Cup. Sorry, but I can't. It doesn't have the history of the Ryder Cup. In my opinion, it's really a glorified friendly for the US in preparation for the real deal the following year. I also feel the same about the Seve Trophy and the one with Asia involved, before someone points out that I'm from Europe.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by nevets88

What's the deal with Mexican Coke? That's the kosher (or some religious thing) special sugar cane one right?

Yep. Sugar, not HFCS. Much cleaner taste, crisper.

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

I just can't get excited about the President's Cup. Sorry, but I can't. It doesn't have the history of the Ryder Cup. In my opinion, it's really a glorified friendly for the US in preparation for the real deal the following year. I also feel the same about the Seve Trophy and the one with Asia involved, before someone points out that I'm from Europe.

Says the guy who lives in Europe. I'm just saying I can see why you don't care too much. It's still good golf to watch, the best on this week. I'd watch Europe vs. Rest of the World though I wouldn't be "excited" about it.

[The_Pharaoh]

Originally Posted by iacas

Yep. Sugar, not HFCS. Much cleaner taste, crisper.

Says the guy who lives in Europe. I'm just saying I can see why you don't care too much. It's still good golf to watch, the best on this week. I'd watch Europe vs. Rest of the World though I wouldn't be "excited" about it.

I doubt I'd watch Europe vs. RotW either. I grew up watching the Ryder Cup when they finally allowed the Europeans to join the GB and Ireland team. It was a battle of the two tours, with both teams desperate to win. It didn't get much better than Seve vs. Azinger!

[JayMc]

If anyone is questioning how Tiger "moves the needle" (to borrow a phrase from Erik) check this out.

The shirts the US team wore yesterday for practice are up for auction.  All players are at 200 (opening bid) except Tiger, whose shirt is at 600 already.

More people are paying attention to the event because he's in it.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/pgatourcharitieshq/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3686

[Kieran123]

Originally Posted by The_Pharaoh

I just can't get excited about the President's Cup. Sorry, but I can't. It doesn't have the history of the Ryder Cup. In my opinion, it's really a glorified friendly for the US in preparation for the real deal the following year. I also feel the same about the Seve Trophy and the one with Asia involved, before someone points out that I'm from Europe.

The Ryder Cup was young once too.

[deasy55]

It might be just because of where I'm from, but I've always seen the Presidents Cup as just a bit of friendly competition whereas the Ryder Cup looks and feels like a real rivalry. That's probably because I'm a neutral and have no strong feelings towards it though.

[xxsoultonesxx]

These pairings are looking good. This should be a good watch.

[Joe Mcc 69]

Does anyone know what kind of grass is on those greens?Looks like common bermuda.

[Joe Mcc 69]

LMAO,they just put it up.Suttons Mix Bentgrass.Sure looks grainy to me!But they are fast.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by deasy55

It might be just because of where I'm from, but I've always seen the Presidents Cup as just a bit of friendly competition whereas the Ryder Cup looks and feels like a real rivalry.

Obviously the Internationals want to win very badly but for most of them, their primary residence is in the states.  Greg Norman has probably spent most of his adult life in the states.  We saw on TGC that he goes to relax at his ranch in Montana and his business offices are in West Palm.  So I think that's where the "friendlier" aspect comes in.  In the Ryder Cup there is more of a division and a sense of unity.