2024 Presidents Cup Preview: Can the International Team Turn the Tide?

Hold onto your hats, golf fans—it's time for the 15th edition of the Presidents Cup, and this year, it's taking place at the Royal Montreal Golf Club from September 24th to 29th, 2024. While the Presidents Cup might not boast the same storied drama as its European cousin, the Ryder Cup, it’s still a marquee event on the golf calendar that demands our attention.

Now, let's be real: the numbers don’t exactly favor the International Team. With Team USA holding a commanding 12-1-1 record, it's been more of a one-sided affair than a nail-biter. The Internationals snagged their lone victory in 1998 at Royal Melbourne and managed a tie at Fancourt Links in South Africa in 2003. In many years, the Presidents Cup has felt like a lopsided affair, with Team USA winning by five points or more in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2017, and 2022. But hey, it’s golf, and the beauty of the game is that anything can happen.

This year, though, there’s a fresh buzz in the air. The International Team is stepping up their game, fueled by the excitement of home-field advantage and a dynamic mix of emerging stars and seasoned veterans. There’s a glimmer of confidence and energy that’s been bubbling beneath the surface. The challenge? Taking down Team USA, who, despite having a slightly less intimidating lineup this time around, still has a roster packed with talent.

The Internationals will need to channel their inner underdogs and deliver some inspired golf to pull off what would be an epic upset. So, buckle up—Royal Montreal is set to be the stage for what could be a thrilling showdown. With a different vibe in the air and the possibility of history being rewritten, this Presidents Cup might just surprise us all.

Team USA: Stacked and Ready

It feels like team USA never show up with anything less than an all-star team, and this year’s no different. You’ve got three of the four major winners from the last season and the guy who took home a gold medal, the Players Championship, and the FedEx Cup. That’s a lot of hardware. Scottie Scheffler, as expected, is leading the charge—he’s been a beast. Then you’ve got Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, and Tony Finau, all names that have become pretty familiar in these kinds of team events. Joining the team as assistant captains will be Kevin Kisner, Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink. These guys have been there, done that, and they know how to handle the pressure of match play.

But that’s not where it stops. The "savvy veteran" category is well-covered with Brian Harman and Keegan Bradley, both of whom bring experience to the table. Then there are the rookies, Russell Henley and Sahith Theegala, who are expected to bring some fresh energy into the mix. Sam Burns and Wyndham Clark round things out, both riding a wave of good form into Montreal. This team looks solid from top to bottom, but there are some decisions that have folks scratching their heads a bit.

Jim Furyk’s captain’s picks—now, that’s where things get interesting. He pretty much just took the next six guys on the points list, which could be seen as a straightforward move. But the most talked-about pick has to be Max Homa. He’s had some great moments in previous team events, like the 2022 Presidents Cup and the 2023 Ryder Cup, but his game has cooled off significantly since then. If you look at his stats lately, particularly his driving—he finished dead last in strokes gained off the tee at both the FedEx St. Jude Invitational and the BMW Championship—it’s fair to wonder if his spot could have gone to someone else. Royal Montreal’s setup with its narrow fairways and thick rough doesn’t exactly scream “Homa rebound,” so this could be a risky call.

Then there’s Keegan Bradley. This one is puzzling because, let’s be real, he was more or less gearing up to be an assistant captain as a step toward leading Team USA in the 2025 Ryder Cup. But then he gets a late-season win at the BMW Championship, and suddenly he’s on the team. The thing is, that win felt a bit like a one-off, especially considering he didn’t perform well at East Lake right after. His entry into the BMW was only possible because of a late collapse by Tom Kim at the FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Plus, the high-altitude conditions of the BMW Championship in Colorado—where the ball flies differently—might have played a role in his performance. You have to wonder if that win really tells the full story of his current form.

Brian Harman is another interesting choice. Sure, he’s had a solid season, and he’s up there in the standings, but outside of his win at the 2023 Open Championship and some early-season form, there hasn’t been much to shout about lately. With a course that fits his game well, he’s not a bad pick by any means, but it does seem like a missed opportunity to bring in some younger blood. Guys like Akshay Bhatia and Nick Dunlop have been making some serious waves this season, and this could have been a great way to give them some international experience ahead of the Ryder Cup. Bhatia, especially, has been solid with the flat stick, which we all know is a huge deal in match play.

And let’s not forget about Justin Thomas. This guy has been a rock for Team USA in past events, and while his form has been up and down recently, there’s something to be said for his leadership and passion in these team settings. The same goes for Billy Horschel, who’s known for his fiery spirit and some strong recent play. Both were left off, which is a surprise to many. But hey, I’m not Jim Furyk, so I’ll be watching like everyone else to see how these decisions play out.

So, where does that leave us? Team USA is the clear favorite. With a roster full of talent, established pairings, and strong chemistry, they’ve got everything needed to extend their Presidents Cup dominance. The key for them will be to avoid overconfidence and stay sharp, especially with the newcomers under pressure for the first time.

Still, the unpredictability of team golf means anything can happen—a few missed putts or nerves could change everything. But if Team USA plays to their potential, it could be a tough week for the Internationals.

International Team: Ready to Take on Montreal with Style and Grit

There's a buzz around the International Team this year, and it’s not just because they’re hosting the Presidents Cup. There’s a sense that this squad might just have something special cooking. Playing at home brings its own kind of pressure and energy, and you get the feeling these guys are leaning into that. Ever since they came agonizingly close to pulling off an upset in 2019, it feels like they’ve been searching for that magic formula to get over the line. Captain Ernie Els, back in 2019, made a smart move by introducing The Shield as the team’s logo. It might sound like a minor thing, but for a team as diverse and eclectic as the Internationals, it’s been a game-changer. Els will serve as an assistant captain in Montreal along with Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy, Camilo Villegas and Shigeki Maruyama

Let's face it—this isn’t your typical team. Where else do you see a Canadian paired with a Japanese player, or a South African teeing it up alongside an Australian? It’s a bit of a hodgepodge, and that can make it tricky for fans to rally behind the whole crew. Unlike Team USA or Europe, the Internationals don’t have that natural complement. But that’s where The Shield comes in. It gives the team something to unify them, something they can all get behind and fight for. And from what I can tell, they’re all in on this Shield business. It’s going to be front and center in Montreal.

The team’s core is solid, led by some serious veterans who know their way around a Presidents Cup. Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, and Adam Scott (who’s basically a Presidents Cup lifer at this point, making his 11th straight appearance) bring heaps of experience and a steadying influence. But what’s exciting is the mix of younger, fearless talent they’ve got coming through. Take Tom Kim, for instance. Sure, he didn’t have the season he wanted, but this guy knows how to show up on the big stage—just look at what he did at Quail Hollow in 2023. And then there’s Min Woo Lee, who’s basically the team’s walking, talking hype man. The guy’s got enough charisma to fire up the entire locker room and then some. Plus, he can hit a golf ball a mile, which doesn’t hurt.

Then you’ve got a good chunk of players coming back from 2019 and 2022, like Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, and Ben An. These guys have been in the trenches before, and they’re probably looking to put that experience to good use. For the Canadians on the squad—Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith—this one’s got to be personal. They took some lumps at Quail Hollow with a rough 0-8-0 combined record, but something tells me they’re itching to turn that around, especially in front of a home crowd.

Speaking of homegrown talent, Mackenzie Hughes is stepping in as a rookie this year, and I think he’s going to be an interesting addition. He’s a bit of a course specialist; his short game and putting are the real deal. And if there’s one thing we know about match play in the Presidents Cup, it’s that putting wins the event. Hughes also has that gritty, never-say-die mentality that could come in handy when things get tight.

Pairings-wise, there are already some natural fits, like the Kim brothers—not actually brothers, but close enough in spirit—Tom and Si Woo, as well as the Aussie duos we’re used to seeing. But I’m curious to see how Captain Mike Weir and his assistants decide to shake things up. I’d put my money on an all-Canadian pairing showing up on the first tee for Thursday's Four-Ball. That would be a great way to get the fans fully charged from the get-go.

Weir’s captain’s picks are another layer of intrigue. Sure, Hughes wasn’t super high in the standings, but the more you think about it, the more his selection makes sense, especially with that home crowd factor. Meanwhile, the decision to leave Nick Taylor off the team must’ve been a tough one. After that electrifying win at the Canadian Open, a lot of us figured he’d be a lock. But his game’s been off lately, and if you want to win this thing, you’ve got to make those hard choices. Adam Hadwin’s in a similar boat—not playing poorly, but just not quite at the level needed to take on this American team. Weir mentioned that both Taylor and Hadwin took the news well, which shows their character. I’m sure they’ll be among the loudest voices cheering their team on.

And then there’s Cam Davis, who was a bright spot in 2022 with a couple of clutch performances. His absence is a bit of a head-scratcher until you consider how Royal Montreal is set up. It’s not exactly a course that forgives a loose drive, and while Davis has that “boom or bust” potential, maybe it just didn’t seem worth the risk this time around.

All in all, this International Team is a fascinating mix of styles, personalities, and strategies. They’ve got that blend of seasoned pros and young guns that could make for some fireworks. The Canadian crowd will need to be at their loudest, and if they can create that electric atmosphere, who knows what might happen? Can they win? Maybe. I wouldn’t count them out. It’s going to be tough to hang with the Americans, especially given how elite in they are with their approach play, but stranger things have happened in golf. If Weir and his crew can catch a wave of momentum, don’t be shocked if The Shield is raised high on Sunday night.

The LIV Dilemma: A Missed Opportunity for Golf Greatness

The LIV Golf saga has shaken the world of golf to its core, but its impact on the Presidents Cup is a particularly sore spot for fans. While LIV players can still make waves in the Ryder Cup, they’ve been sidelined from the Presidents Cup. Why? Simple: the Presidents Cup is tied to the PGA, and the PGA’s stance on LIV is a firm "no thanks."

This exclusion hits hardest on the international side, which has seen some major talent leave for LIV. Remember the 2022 Presidents Cup? The International Team was hit hard by the departures of stars like Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman, Abraham Ancer, and Carlos Ortiz. Since then, more big names like Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munoz, Lucas Herbert, and Dean Burmester have also jumped ship. It’s a blow to what could have been a spectacular showdown between the top USA and International players.

And it’s not just the International Team feeling the sting. American stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka left for LIV, adding their own brand of excitement and flair that could have spiced up the Presidents Cup. Just think of the fireworks they could have brought to Montreal!

Imagine the drama if we had a full-strength international squad. Picture Cam Smith and Adam Scott squaring off against Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler in a high-stakes Saturday match. Or Brooks Koepka going head-to-head with Hideki Matsuyama. The potential for thrilling golf moments would be off the charts.

Despite the LIV-induced heartache or headache depending on your views, there’s still plenty to be excited about. The players heading to Royal Montreal are some of the bests in the world, and they’re sure to put on an incredible show. But as we gear up for this year's tournament, there’s a lingering “what if?”—a sense of missed opportunity for a truly epic clash of golf’s finest.

Final Thoughts

Even though the Presidents Cup might not have the storied legacy of its European counterpart, it still offers a unique and thrilling spectacle of team golf. At its core, it's a celebration of the game we love, showcasing the camaraderie and competition that make golf so compelling. The atmosphere will be electric, especially with the Canadian fans known for their passionate support. Their enthusiasm could be the X-factor, giving the International Team an extra boost and adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

So, while the Presidents Cup may not have the same gravitas, it stands on its own as a fantastic showcase of talent and teamwork. Who knows? This year might just deliver the most memorable twist the tournament has seen.