The Presidents Cup is only in its eighth iteration. In the biannual team competition between the best golfers in the U.S. and their counterparts from the rest of the world, excluding Europe, the Americans have lost only once. Still, the event has produced many memorable moments. Here are the top ten:
10. Ken Venturi, 2000
At Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., the U.S. bounces back from its only Presidents Cup loss, to win by the most lopsided margin in Cup history, 21.5-10.5. Captain Ken Venturi’s team was led by Stewart Cink and Davis Love III.
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When U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus and International captain Gary Player agreed to a draw in the final match of the Presidents Cup in 2003, deadlocking the overall competition, it was hailed as an extraordinary gesture of sportsmanship, one unlikely in other sports. But others took issue with the decision. With the rise of Tiger Woods, and the increase of interest in the Presidents Cup, many non-golfers were aghast that such an important competition could end in a tie. Thus began a debate, pitting longtime golf fans vs. those new to the sport. As subsequent issues in golf have risen, the division between new and old remains.
9. Shigeki Maruyama, 1998
In Melbourne, Peter Thomson captained the Internationals to their lone Presidents Cup victory, a 20.5-11.5 romp led by Shigeki Maruyama, who won a singles match and combined with partners to win four others.
8. Woody Austin, 2007
After driving into the water at No. 14 at Royal Montreal, Woody Austin rolls up his pants and tries to hit from the hazard. He swings, loses his balance, and falls face first into the pond.
7. Mike Weir, 2007
The International Team struggles, but playing in his home country, Weir earns the most points for the team and defeats Tiger Woods in a Sunday singles match that thrills his countrymen.
6. Fred Couples, 1994
From an awkward lie in the rough from 156 yards out on the final hole at Robert Trent Jones, Fred Couples hits a brilliant shot to within a foot to clinch his match and assure the first Cup for the United States.
5. Vijay Singh, 2000
For a singles match against rival Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh’s caddie, Paul Tesori, arrived at Robert Trent Jones with “Tiger Who,” stitched across the back of his hat. Woods beat Singh, 2 and 1.
4. Ernie Els, 2003
In Fancourt, South Africa, with the Cup hinging on the outcome of the final match between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, Woods makes a downhill 15-foot putt for birdie on the third playoff hole, but Els answers with a 8-footer to match.
3. Gary Player, 2003
With Els and Woods engaged in their playoff and with darkness approaching, Player, captain of the International Team, and U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus agree to a draw, resulting in a stalemate in the overall competition.
2. Chris DiMarco, 2005
At Robert Trent Jones, DiMarco uses his claw grip to drop a 12-foot birdie putt to defeat Stewart Appleby on the final hole, giving the U.S. the victory.
1. Fred Couples, 1996
In the second Presidents Cup, with the result hinging on the final singles match between Fred Couples and Vijay Singh, Couples rolled in a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, punctuating his feat with a toss of his club and two fists to the heavens as he clinched the Cup for the U.S.
