Presidents Cup 2019 guide: United States vs International team in Melbourne
Christmas has come early for Aussie golf fans after Tiger Woods announced he’ll be swinging the clubs Down Under in December.
Tiger Woods has sent Australian golf fans into a spin by naming himself as a playing captain for the upcoming Presidents Cup against an International team at Royal Melbourne in December.
Woods claimed his 15th major title at the Masters in April and won his 82nd US PGA Tour title at the Zozo Championship in Japan two weeks ago.
“As captain, I’m going to choose Tiger Woods as the last player on the team,” Woods said. “He’s made … nine Cups and he’s played in Australia twice in the Presidents Cup, so this will be his third appearance as a player. And I find it interesting talking in the third person.”
The decision from Woods to name himself as a playing-captain makes him only the second person to do so since American Hale Irwin did it during the inaugural edition in 1994.
"I'm going to choose Tiger Woods."
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 8, 2019
A third-person explanation on why @TigerWoods picked Tiger Woods. ð pic.twitter.com/OLYrHSWERO
The US superstar admitted in a conference call to announce his captain’s selections that piloting the team — choosing pairings and plotting strategy — while playing would be “a lot of work.”
But the decision had been widely expected since his victory at the Zozo Championship — his first outing since arthroscopic surgery two months ago to address knee trouble that had slowed him since his triumph at Augusta National.
As Woods himself said after his victory in Japan: “As a player, I got the captain’s attention.” Woods said he would rely on help from assistant captains Steve Stricker, Fred Couples and Zach Johnson to keep the United States on track.
“It’s going to be difficult but I always knew I had three amazing assistants,” Woods said. “Two guys who have won Presidents Cup and Zach, who will be a future captain.
“Three great minds to help me when I’m playing.
“With the new rules, I just have to play one match prior to the singles,” he added. “Two matches minimum. It could be more. It’s about me understanding the guys, and understanding the golf course as well.”
Woods said his assistants had offered plenty of advice on whether to choose himself to play.
“Freddie was pretty ardent,” Woods said. “You’re on the team, quit being stupid (he said). At the time, I haven’t even swung a club,” Woods said. “I got back to him after Japan.”
HOW TO WATCH
Channel Nine have the free-to-air broadcast rights for all 27 hours of live competition during the 2019 Presidents Cup in December.
The Presidents Cup will also be available in Australia via on-demand video streaming service GOLFTV.
TICKETS
General Admission Adult tickets start at $50, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
WHERE IS IT BEING HELD
Royal Melbourne Golf Club will host the 2019 Presidents Cup for the first time since 2011. It is the only international venue to have held the tournament more than once. The International team had their most recent victory at the same venue in 1998.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT
There will be five rounds played from Thursday, 12 December to Sunday, 15 December. While the exact format is yet to be confirmed, the Presidents Cup typically consists of foursomes and four-ball matches, with additional singles matches on the final day. Thirty matches are played in total, the team with the most victories determining the winner.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM
Ernie Els (South Africa) — non-playing captain
K.J.Choi (South Korea) — non-playing assistant
Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) — non-playing assistant
Trevor Immelman (South Africa) — non-playing assistant
Mike Weir (Canada) — non-playing assistant
Marc Leishman (Australia)
Hideki Matsuyama (Japan)
Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa)
Adam Scott (Australia)
Abraham Ancer (Mexico)
Li Haotong (China)
Pan Cheng-tsung (Chinese Taipei)
Cameron Smith (Australia)
UNITED STATES TEAM
Tiger Woods — playing captain
Fred Couples — non-playing assistant
Zach Johnson — non-playing assistant
Steve Stricker — non-playing assistant
Brooks Koepka
Justin Thomas
Dustin Johnson
Patrick Cantlay
Xander Schauffele
Webb Simpson
Matt Kuchar
Bryson DeChambeau
Gary Woodland
Patrick Reed
Tony Finau
PRESIDENTS CUP HISTORY
The Presidents Cup was established in 1988 by the PGA Tour. The inaugural event was held in Gainesville, Virginia, with the United States team winning 20-12.
There have been 13 Presidents Cup tournaments to date, with the United States winning 11, the International team winning one, and a tied event in 2003.
America’s Phil Mickwelson holds the record for most appearances for a team (12) and most points (32.5).
Each contest has an Honorary Chairman, which in the past has included Barack Obama, John Howard, Julia Gillard and Donald Trump.
RECENT VICTORS
2017 — United States (19-11)
2015 — United States (15.5-14.5)
2013 — United States (18.5-15.5)
2011 — United States (19-15)
2009 — United States (19.5-14.5)
2007 — United States (19.5-14.5)
2005 — United States (18.5-15.5)
2003 — Tied (17-17)
2000 — United States (21.5-10.5)
1998 — International (20.5-11.5)
1996 — United States (16.5-15.5)
1994 — United States (20-12)
— with AFP