Presidents Cup (Drama?): Finchem Caves To The World!
/The excitement can only build from here. Because there appears to be none!
And in that vein, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has caved after several years of pleas from the International side to reduce the number of matches and introduce other touches that make the captains more than just cart drivers. Doug Ferguson reports on the Presidents Cup shift, which appears to be a major concession by Finchem to 2015 captain Nick Price, perhaps recognizing that the event is on life support.
"After numerous meetings and discussions, it was apparent that both captains felt passionate about their respective positions, as did their potential team members," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. "But with no clear consensus between the two sides, it was up to me to make a decision that would be best for the event overall."
Judging by the lack of opinion pieces on the major change in format, the level of interest in the Cup is teetering on non-existent. It could be that the 2015 event in Korea's Jack Nicklaus GC isn't in the league of Royal Melbourne or Muirfield Village, with looming "eh" venues in Liberty National in 2017 and Quail Hollow in 2021. We are about to be taught a lesson in the vitality of a venue as key protagonist in these exhibitions.
The full release on the changes:
Format changes to The Presidents Cup announced for 2015 event
Number of matches reduced to 30
Players required to participate in two of the first four sessions
Order of four-ball, foursomes determined by host captain
Singles matches all square after 18 holes will be determined a draw
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem today announced changes to the format of The Presidents Cup, starting with the 2015 event, to be held at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, Korea, October 6-11.
After several months of discussion with the current U.S. and International Team Captains, Jay Haas and Nick Price, respectively, as well as past and potential team members, the following changes were decided upon by the TOUR.
• Structure of the matches will be reduced from 34 total points to 30, with five four-ball and five foursome matches on Thursday/Friday, versus six and six; and four four-ball and four foursome matches on Saturday, versus five and five. The first four Presidents Cup events (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000) were played with a total of 32 matches;
• Each player will be required to participate in two of the first four sessions, with every player competing in the Sunday singles. In the past, team members were required to play in at least three of the four four-ball/foursome segments;
• The order of the matches for Thursday and Friday will be determined by the host team’s captain, versus being set forth in the competition agreement. In this scenario for 2015, Captain Price can determine which format – four-ball or foursomes – will be played on Thursday and Friday;
• Finally, foursome, four-ball and singles matches that are all-square after 18 holes are determined to be a draw, with each team receiving a half point. Previously, singles matches that were all square after 18 holes were extended to sudden death to determine the winner until one team had enough points to win The Presidents Cup.
“For quite some time, the International Team has been advocating for a reduction in total points, while the U.S. Team felt strongly that The Presidents Cup format should remain as it has been,” said Finchem. “After numerous meetings and discussions, it was apparent that both captains felt passionate about their respective positions, as did their potential team members. But with no clear consensus between the two sides, it was up to me to make a decision that would be best for the event overall. Our focus throughout this process has been to ensure The Presidents Cup is as strong as it can be and contested in a manner that preserves those aspects of The Presidents Cup that have differentiated the event over the past 20 years.
“After careful consideration of all the viewpoints and closely examining the history of the matches, I feel strongly that the changes we are implementing will strike a balance between maintaining the unique makeup of The Presidents Cup – which is important to the players, fans, sponsors and partners – and the competitive environment for both teams.”
The U.S. Presidents Cup Team is comprised of the top-10 U.S. players who earn the most FedExCup points from September 13, 2013, through September 7, 2015, with points earned in 2015 doubled, plus two captain’s selections. The International Team consists of the top-10 international players (non-U.S. and non-European) from the Official World Golf Ranking as of September 7, 2015, plus two captain’s selections. Captains’ picks will be made on Tuesday, September 8.
Tickets to The Presidents Cup 2015 are now on sale at 2015 presidentscup.com. Weekly and daily grounds tickets are being sold as well as weekly Captains’ Club VIP tickets. Tickets are limited to this once-in-a-lifetime event and prices will increase September 1. Those who purchase early will save and be guaranteed a place in Korean sports history.
