The 2013 President's Cup is about to begin and as some of the world's best players enter the ultra-competitive team tournament, fans of the great game of golf are eagerly anticipating what could be one of the most entertaining Cup's in recent memory. Team USA and the International Team have played tremendous matches over the years, including in the 2011 President's Cup that saw the United States earn their fourth-straight victory in the event (the two sides tied in 2003) thanks to Sunday singles victories from Tiger Woods, David Toms, Jim Furyk, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan and Steve Stricker.
While many of the same faces will return for both teams, captains Fred Couples (USA) and Nick Price (International) will also have the pleasure of adding a slew of young talent to teams chock full of President's Cup veterans. Brandt Snedeker, Jordan Spieth, Jason Dufner and Keegan Bradley will make their Cup debuts for the United States while Louis Oosthiuzen, Hideki Matsuyama, Branden Grace, Graham DeLaet, Marc Leishman, Richard Sterne and Brendon de Jonge are set to appear for the first time on the International team.
Though the United States' rookies have appeared in Ryder Cup events in year's past, Couples isn't worried about them competing on this new stage because he trusts the experience and leadership that lies within his 2013 veterans.
"I have consistency in Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Tiger, and pretty much whatever they say is going to happen," Couples said recently. "They have been on 50 teams probably amongst the three of them."
With seven President's Cup rookies on his squad, Nick Price will surely rely on his veterans for added support, especially since the Internationals are looking to avoid a fourth-straight loss in this event. He also believes his team is full of talent from top to bottom, even though Team USA may look more appealing on paper, with 7 of the top 11 players in the world participating this week.
"The American team is going to look a lot stronger on paper than our team is going to be," Price said. "But it's hard to measure the camaraderie and the willpower and the spirit of a team because that can overcome a lot of things. So that's one of my prime objectives is to get amongst the guys and to sell them how keen I am and how keen I want them to be on playing in it and to really be a part of it."
In 10 President's Cup tournaments dating back to 1994, the International team has only earned one victory. That title came in 1998 by way of a 20.5 - 11.5 win over a United States team captained by Jack Nicklaus. Tying in 2003 after a three-hole playoff between Ernie Els and Tiger Woods was not enough to declare a winner, the Internationals now hope to snap a streak of four-straight losses when they take to Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio later this week.
2013 President's Cup - DATES, TIME & TV/ INFO (All times Eastern)
Thursday, October 3: Golf Channel, 12 - 6p.m.
Friday, October 4: Golf Channel, 1 - 6p.m.
Saturday, October 5: NBC, 8a.m. - 6p.m.
Sunday, October 6: NBC, 12 - 6p.m
OPENING ROUND PAIRINGS & MATCHES
Match 1: Jason Day/Graham DeLaet (INT) vs. Hunter Mahan/Brandt Snedeker (USA)
Match 2: Bill Haas/Webb Simpson (USA) vs. Adam Scott/Hideki Matsuyama (INT)
Match 3: Louis Oosthuizen/Charl Schwartzel (INT) vs. Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley (USA)
Match 4: Steve Stricker/Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Ernie Els/Brendon de Jonge (INT)
Match 5: Angel Cabrera/Marc Leishman (INT) vs. Matt Kuchar/Tiger Woods (USA)
Match 6: Jason Dufner/Zach Johnson (USA) vs. Branden Grace/Richard Sterne (INT)
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