The Golf Watch

U.S. team dominates at President's Cup

I caught all of the highlights of the U.S. team's stellar play last week at the President's Cup.  They beat the International team 19 1/2 -14 1/2 and seem to be back on pace to continue to dominate not only at the President's Cup, but also the Ryder Cup.

Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker showed how valuable they can be in a team format by blitzing the Internationals the first three days.  With other young stars like Sean O'Hair and Anthony Kim stepping up, it seems the American team has a bright future.

Nobilo selected for President's Cup team

Greg Norman selected Frank Nobilo as the Assistant Captain for the 2009 President's Cup team during a Golf Channel telecast earlier today.  It was an interesting time and place to make the announcement, as it was one hour into the TGC's telecast of the Turning Stone Resort Championship.

Nevertheless, Norman divulged to Rich Lerner that he had "a lot of sleepless nights" as he wrestled with the decision.

Golf Channel picks up Presidents Cup

The résumé of The Golf Channel continues to grow.  According to a Sports Business Journal report earlier today, TGC will start covering the Presidents Cup in 2009.  The deal is scheduled to run through 2015.  TGC confirmed the report on Golf Central earlier tonight. 

Golf World: Couples will replace Nicklaus as President's Cup Captain

Golf World reports that Fred Couples will become captain of the United States President's Cup team in 2009, replacing longtime captain Jack Nicklaus.  The 2009 President's Cup will be played at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco.  A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday. 

President's Cup ratings don't match up to Ryder Cup

This year's President's Cup was not the most enticing event to watch on Sunday for American fans.  The U.S. needed to win only three matches to secure the cup, and the marquee match of the day, which featured Mike Weir and Tiger Woods, was more important to Canadian fans than anyone else.  According to the latest Nielsen ratings, the President's Cup got a 2.3/5 rating on NBC.  The year before, NBC drew a 2.9/8 rating in Europe's rout of the U.S. 18 1/2 to 9 1/2.  The Ryder Cup not only holds more history and prestige, but is evidently more appealing to American viewers.

ESPN's Sobel lists reasons why Americans play better in President's Cup

ESPN.com's Jason Sobel lists some reasons why the American team seems to play better at the President's Cup rather than the Ryder Cup.  Sobel writes:

1. They have more fun and play looser.

2. Jack Nicklaus is the captain.

3. The players decide their partners.

4. They are truly underdogs.

5. Everybody plays.

Cink clinches cup for American team

Tiger Woods missed a birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole which could have clinched the President's Cup.  But moments later, Stewart Cink won his match against Nick O'Hern 6 & 4 to win the cup.  Unlike two years ago when Chris DiMarco was met by a barrage of teammates and fans with his clinching putt, Cink had little fanfare around the 14th green.  Cink told Dottie Pepper of NBC Sports, "When you are by yourself, and you’ve won, then that means you won your match early and I’m happy to do it.  In match play, you don’t want to keep playing golf if you’re ahead.  I’m happy to be the one to clinch the point for the U.S team."  The U.S. eventually won by a total of 19.5-14.5 over the International team. 

Weir proves he is President’s Cup worthy

Prior to the President's Cup, it was uncertain whether or not International team captain Gary Player would select Mike Weir as a captain's pick.  Even after Weir was selected, critics questioned why other players like Andres Romero or Stephen Ames, a Canadian who was ranked higher in the President's Cup standings, weren't selected for the team.  But in the last three days, Weir has shown why he was worthy of the pick.  Kraig Kann said on the Sprint Post Game, "He has earned his keep, earned his spot.  He lobbied for this thing to be in Canada. He’s proving he deserved to be there all along."  Weir is tied for the team lead with Vijay Singh for the most points earned.

Woods, Weir to face off on Sunday

Canadian fans had little to celebrate after the Americans dominated the International team earlier today.  But after the final Sunday pairings were announced earlier this evening, fans had something to cheer about. Hometown hero Mike Weir will face off head-to-head against Tiger Woods in the fourth group tomorrow at 12:46 p.m. ET.  Mike Weir has played well after the first three days and will look to give his team a much needed boost.  The U.S. team leads  14 1/2 to 7 1/2. 

Kornheiser: President's Cup lacks natural historical rivalry

On Thursday's edition of Pardon the Interruption on ESPN, Mike Wilbon asked Tony Kornheiser, "Is it only tradition that makes the Ryder Cup more attractive to most people than the President's Cup?"  Kornheiser responded, "Yeah, where’s the cradle of golf?  It’s in England and Scotland. Where’s one of the great tournaments played every year?  The British Open…I love the President’s Cup…but it is a derivative tournament and it lacks the sort of natural historic rivalry that we’ve had with England and wider Europe."  The Ryder Cup was first played in 1927, while the President's Cup started in 1994.