The Internationals are set to face off against the United States in the 15th Presidents Cup, hoping to secure their first victory since 1998 and break a nine-event losing streak. The competition kicks off Thursday at Royal Montreal, where the US holds a commanding lead in the all-time rivalry with a record of 12 wins, one loss, and one draw. As they strive for their tenth consecutive win since a draw in 2003, the American team is confident, boasting eight players ranked among the top 14 in the world.
Australian golfer Adam Scott expressed a strong belief in his team's capabilities, noting their heightened confidence. He highlighted that the only victory for the non-European Internationals came in 1998 at Royal Melbourne, while the US team is coming off a solid performance in 2022, where they secured a 17.5-12.5 win at Quail Hollow. US captain Jim Furyk acknowledged the emotional roller coaster of the event, where momentum shifts frequently between the teams.
Captaining the Internationals is Canada’s Mike Weir, who leads a lineup that includes Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, currently the highest-ranked player in the team at seventh, alongside other rising stars like Min Woo Lee and Mackenzie Hughes making their Cup debuts. Weir has encouraged his team to focus on their current strengths rather than past failures, emphasizing that their youthful roster is ready to tackle the formidable US lineup. Scott reinforced this sentiment, stating that they are fielding their strongest team in recent years.
The tournament will feature a series of matches beginning with five four-ball contests on Thursday, followed by foursomes, and concluding with singles matches on Sunday. Notably, the first matchup includes top-ranked Scottie Scheffler teaming up with Tony Finau against Australia's Jason Day and South Korea's Ben An. As players prepare for the competition, Day reflected on the evolving team dynamics, noting that the significance of the Presidents Cup has grown for the players, highlighting the importance of team unity in pursuit of victory.
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