JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) The banner posted on the side of the grandstand at the first tee loudly proclaimed the Presidents Cup as ”The U.S. versus The World.” That sounded like a compelling competition except for one small problem.
When did Europe move to another planet?
The PGA Tour has pleaded for patience in letting the Presidents Cup mature into a must-see event, referring to a Ryder Cup that once was even more one-sided. During a 50-year stretch, the Americans captured the Ryder Cup 20 out of 21 times.
Then again, they were beating up on a Britain and Ireland team trying to recover from World War II, the worst kind of home game. The turning point was in 1979 when all of Europe became eligible, which included Seve Ballesteros, perhaps the most important figure in Ryder Cup history.
The International team comes from every country outside Europe. What else can it add?
What can it do?
It’s difficult enough playing under a flag with no significance except for one week every t..