The First Call Inbox

Fixing the Presidents Cup

The First Call readers debate how to fix the PGA Tour's lopsided event, proposing formats that include LPGA players and former LIV Golf players — or maybe shuttering it entirely.

Question of the week [Sept. 7-13]: The United States holds a 13-1-1 advantage in the Presidents Cup. What changes, if any, would you make in an attempt to make it more competitive?

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Reid Farrill | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Given that the PGA Tour owns this event, I see little in the way of much-needed change anytime soon. Ideally, they would introduce LPGA Tour pros to help narrow the competitive imbalance, especially given the strength of the international women. However, that would require a financial partnership with the LPGA, which seems unlikely. Assuming another dominant USA victory, at what point does the PGA Tour take a hard look at this failing event? It cannot continue as is.
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Richard Turner Simpsonville, SC
Allow LIV Golf international players to compete for the International Team to make the matches more competitive.
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Howie Cullum Sumter, SC
Make members of the most recent U.S. Ryder Cup team ineligible to play in the Presidents Cup.
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Chris Ferrara Delmont, PA
Get rid of it.
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Pete Croppo Bayfield, Ontario, Canada
I'm not sure there is a clear method to assure more balanced results. Everyone wants a level playing field, but I don't see a way to achieve that without artificially stifling the American team. The only real way to get better results is for the International side to simply play better. As golfers, we should understand that better than anyone.
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John Gilbert Escondido, CA
The [International team's] opponent in the Presidents Cup should be the reigning Ryder Cup winning team. The PGA of America probably wouldn't go for that, but it might give the Americans an extra incentive to play better in the Ryder Cup.
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Art Williams Luzerne, PA
Loan the [International team] Scottie Scheffler. Let Rory McIlroy play for them. Force the U.S. team to play non-dominant-handed. In all seriousness, it is up to the International team to step up and play better, not for us to change the rules.
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Matt Souchuk Farmington Hills, MI
Build the International team by selecting the top two players from each of six regions: Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Canada.
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Michael Thompson Wilmington, DE
None.
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Terry Fraser Huntsville, AL
To me, the Presidents Cup feels like an exhibition match with the U.S. taking on an assortment of players from around the world who have no natural connection to one another. Players from Canada, South Africa, South America, Asia and Australia have very little in common as a unit.

I would prefer to see the U.S. face a true regional squad, such as a "Pan-Asia" team (golfers from Australia, New Zealand, and Asia). Alternatively, create an "Americas" team with players from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and alternate between the two every edition. That way, the opposing team would actually share some form of regional bond.
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The First Call invites reader comment. Write to editor Stuart Hall at shall@buffalogroupe.com. If your comment is selected for publication, we will not publish your email address. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.

Front: The 2019 Presidents Cup.
Photo: Thos Caffrey | Golffile


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