The United States boasts 12 of the world’s prime 25 golfers, together with top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, for the crew showdown that begins Thursday at Quail Hollow.
Justin Leonard greets Justin Thomas of the United States Team on the follow inexperienced throughout a follow spherical previous to the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Country Club on 20 September 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Picture: Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP
CHARLOTTE – There’s a blowout anticipated this week on the Presidents Cup, however you would not realize it listening to favored Americans downplay their benefits and the Internationals talk of a shocking upset.
The United States boasts 12 of the world’s prime 25 golfers, together with top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, for the crew showdown that begins Thursday at Quail Hollow.
The Internationals, who counter with 5 of the world’s prime 30, misplaced half a squad with defections to the LIV Golf Series, together with British Open winner Cameron Smith, the world quantity three from Australia.
They have eight rookies and a way of nothing to lose, however it will be an epic shocker for them to defeat one of one of the best American lineups ever assembled.
“That’s on paper. The games aren’t played on paper,” US captain Davis Love stated. “We have a higher-ranked team, but I know a bunch of those young guys on their team and they’re going to come in with a chip on their shoulder and together.”
Internationals captain Trevor Immelman is relying on each.
“They will be ready come Thursday because they’ve got something to prove,” Immelman stated. “This is the stage to find out if you’ve got what it takes or not.
“There’s a magical quantity of respect for the US crew. We can see if we are able to match up with their expertise. We can see how good we’re.
“The exciting part for us is it does free us up… have a blast and let ‘er rip.”
The Americans personal an 11-1-1 edge within the all-time rivalry, taking the previous eight from the worldwide squad. Their solely loss got here at Melbourne in 1998.
“It has stung,” stated Tenth-time starter Adam Scott stated of the drought. “It has been frustrating. A lot.”
Past Masters winners Scott and Hideki Matsuyama and South Koreans Im sung-jae and Kim Si-woo are the one Internationals players with Presidents Cup expertise.
They are joined by rookies Kim Joo-hyung, Lee Kyoung-hoon, Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Cameron Davis, Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
“I still remain incredibly optimistic that we have a shot,” Scott stated. “I’m leaning into the younger guys. Their enthusiasm and excitement is good for an old fart like me to see.”
A MAJOR APPROACH
Three-time main winner Jordan Spieth, who makes a US-best fourth begin, has seen rivals win titles this 12 months, together with Matsuyama, Lee and Kim Joo-hyung.
“If you look at the guys on their team, they have been on great form the past six months,” he stated. “Every one has either won or almost won a tournament.
“We’re approaching this as significantly as we are able to, as if it is a main championship. I feel it’ll be very aggressive and I feel we can be prepared for them.
“It’s going to be really hard for it to be a landslide either way. We’re not complacent.”
The stellar American lineup, with 11 of the world’s prime 18, has Spieth, PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, 2021 FedEx Cup playoff winner Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau and Kevin Kisner.
Scheffler is amongst six rookies on the US squad, joined by two-time main winner Collin Morikawa, Sam Burns, Billy Horschel, Cameron Young and Max Homa, a 2019 Quail Hollow winner coming off a victory Sunday.
“Everybody gets along really well,” Thomas stated. “To have a team like this with great camaraderie and deep talent, it’s a lot of fun.”
There are 5 foursomes (alternate shot) matches on Thursday, 5 fourball (higher ball) matches on Friday, 4 extra in every format on Saturday and 12 concluding singles matches on Sunday.
Quail Hollow has shifted its format barely for the occasion, its famous “Green Mile” closing stretch taking part in as holes 13 by 15 this week to make sure the tough stretch has an influence in additional matches.
“You have the potential for more fireworks,” Thomas stated.
An intense first-hole grandstand resembles Ryder Cup choices and is predicted to have a rambunctious crowd to match come Thursday.
“Ball is going far. Adrenaline is going to be pumping,” Kim Joo-hyung stated. “The stands are incredible.”