The Presidents Cup: FAQs

All Square 4 min read • 20 Sep 2022

The 14th edition of the Presidents Cup which sees the United States team take on the International team is set to tee off at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina. We answer some frequently asked questions ahead of the event.

Since the tournament’s inception in 1994, the U.S. has been dominant with an overall record of 11-1-1. The only time the International team won was at Royal Melbourne in Australia in 1998. There was a tie in 2003 in South Africa.

The U.S. has now won eight in a row, including a 16-14 victory in Australia in 2019 when Tiger Woods was player-captain and Ernie Els captained the International team. The following edition was due to take place in 2021 but was delayed to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

What is the Presidents Cup?

Created by the PGA Tour, it’s a biennial team competition between the United States team and an International team that represents the rest of the world excluding Europe.

When is it being held?

It takes place every other year during non-Ryder Cup years. The 2022 contest will take place September 22-25.

Where is it being played?

The competition alternates between venues in the U.S. and overseas. This year, it will be held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upgraded by Tom Fazio in 2014, it hosts the Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour, apart from this season due to hosting the Presidents Cup.

What is the format of the Presidents Cup?

Each team consists of 12 players who compete over four days, in a match-play format, with 30 total matches. The team that earns the most points after four days of competition wins.

Thursday: Five matches total, foursomes (alternate shot)

Friday: Five matches total, fourball (best ball)

Saturday: Eight matches total, four-ball in the morning; foursomes in the afternoon

Sunday: 12 matches total, singles

What’s the difference between four-ball and foursomes?

In four-ball, each players plays his own ball, so four balls are in play. Also called best-ball, each team uses its best score of the two balls on each hole. Foursomes is alternate shot, with two balls in play. One player hits the first shot and then his partner hits the next shot, and so on.

Who are the team captains?

USA: Davis Love III. International: Trevor Immelman

Who are the players on the 2022 teams?

United States Team – Automatic qualifiers: Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau. Captain’s picks: Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Billy Horschel, Cameron Young, Kevin Kisner.

International Team – Automatic qualifiers: Hideki Matsuyama, Sungjae Im, Joohyung “Tom” Kim, Corey Conners, Adam Scott, Mito Pereira. Captain’s picks: K.H. Lee, Si Woo Kim, Taylor Pendrith, Cameron Davis, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Sebastian Munoz.

How are the teams selected?

Six players on each team earn their spots through their ranking points; the other other six are selected by the team’s captains. The U.S. uses the FedEx Cup points to determine its automatic six; the International team uses the Official Golf World Ranking points system.

Is there prize money?

No, but funds generated by the event go to charities nominated by the players, captains and assistant captains of both teams. Since the event’s inception, around $55 million has been raised for various charities.

Who runs the event?

The PGA Tour runs the Presidents Cup, whereas the Ryder Cup is run by the PGA of America and the R&A.

Are LIV Golf players allowed to play?

Members of the LIV Golf series are not eligible to play. When players moved over to LIV Golf they were immediately suspended by the PGA Tour and that meant none can play at the Presidents Cup.

Which team starts as favourite?

The Americans, who hold a 100 percent record on home soil. But the International team will be hoping for an upset with three of the last four contests having a winning margin of just three points or less.

Who won last time?

It was close last time out in Melbourne in 2019, when the U.S produced a great comeback on the final day to win 16-14.

What if the Presidents Cup ends in a 15-15 tie?

Unlike the Ryder Cup where the team that currently holds the Cup would retain it, if the two teams at the Presidents Cup are tied they will share the trophy.

How many times have the teams tied?

Once, in 2003 after a sudden-death playoff between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. After three holes they were still deadlocked, and due to fading light it was decided that the Cup would be shared.

Why won’t there be a playoff in 2022 if scores are tied?

Inspired by the spirit of the 2003 Presidents Cup, which was deemed a tie after that memorable playoff between Tiger and Ernie that was halted due to darkness, it was decided playoffs would be scrapped.