Stray Shots: Koreans shine even in yawner
Despite the efforts of Kim, Kim and Im, the Presidents Cup can't deliver on promise
Tom Kim played, and whined, with unbridled passion (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
By Peter Kaufman
1. The Presidents Cup 2024 — another rout. USA 18.5, Internationals 11.5. In fact, this was the biggest point differential in the history of the event when the “away” team won. Team USA has now won for the 10th consecutive event, and overall the record is 13-1-1 in favor of the Americans.
Yawn.
This was, as predicted, not exactly must-see TV. The opening stanza went 5-0 for the U.S. at Royal Montreal. And while the Internationals bounced back 5-0 the next day and did appear to make it somewhat competitive for a while thereafter, the event simply was pretty much devoid of excitement save for the Korean contingent (more in a bit on that).
There was a lack of star wattage on the International side. There were more than a few Internationals whom the casual golf fan would be unable to pick out of Wanted posters at the Post Office. Contrast to the Ryder Cup, where even rookies (such as Ludvig Åberg) are better known quantities, where the core 10 European players are typically well known to golf audiences.
Even the clinching point was rather anti-climactic. Keegan Bradley had several holes in a row with makeable putts to close the deal, but he missed those and eventually needed Si Woo Kim to miss his putt on 18 to put the U.S. over the finish line. It contrasted sharply to a Ryder Cup frenzy when the competition has been clinched. Pandemonium in Montreal there was not.
Matter of fact, once the matter had been determined, U.S. captain Jim Furyk looked like he was searching for a courtesy car to get him out of there. We have seen more enthusiasm for a high school final exam than was exhibited by Team USA after Bradley clinched.
2. Korean uprising. Truly, the bulk of excitement in the proceedings was generated by the Korean contingent, most notably Tom Kim. Readers know of my affection for Kim, who at 22 is already the de facto leader of the Internationals, having taken on the mantle of emotional leader of the squad in 2022 when he was only 20. Exhibiting some gamesmanship that would have made Seve Ballesteros proud, Kim only produced a 1-2-1 record, but he drew the Americans’ big dogs and did not wilt.