Tournament Preview: The 2013 Presidents Cup

The PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoffs have concluded with all attention rapidly shifting to the much anticipated President’s Cup.  Like the Ryder Cup, this mixed format tournament is played every other year in the Ryder Cup’s “off year”.   To learn more about how the President’s Cup works, read up here.

Course: Muirfield Village Golf Club measures 7,392 yards and plays as a par 72. The course that Jack built has played home to some of the best tournaments on the PGA TOUR, including many wins from Tiger Woods (the Memorial Tournament). The Presidents Cup’s arrival this year rounds out the complete Muirfield Village trifecta of pro golf’s biggest team matches which includes the 1987 Ryder Cup and 1998 Solheim Cup.

Photo by Nicklaus.com

Weather forecast for the 2013 Presidents Cup in Dublin, OH (from weather.com)

• Round 1: Thursday (Oct 3) 84 degrees, 30% chance of rain, few showers.
• Round 2: Friday (Oct 4) 80 degrees, 20% chance of rain, partly cloudy.
• Round 3: Saturday (Oct 5) 74 degrees, 60% chance of rain, scattered T-Storms.
• Round 4: Sunday (Oct 6) 59 degrees, 20% chance of rain, partly cloudy.

President’s Cup Series: United States leads 7-1-1.

U.S. Players and Number of Appearances:

• Keegan Bradley (1st Presidents Cup)
• Jason Dufner (1st)
• Bill Haas (2nd)
• Zach Johnson (3rd)
• Matt Kuchar (2nd)
• Hunter Mahan (4th)
• Phil Mickelson (10th)
• Webb Simpson (2nd)
• Brandt Snedeker (1st)
• Jordan Spieth (1st)
• Steve Stricker (5th)
• Tiger Woods (8th)
• Captain: Fred Couples.

International Players and Number of Appearances:

• Angel Cabrera, Argentina (4th Presidents Cup)
• Jason Day, Australia (2nd)
• Brendon de Jonge, Zimbabwe (1st)
• Graham DeLaet, Canada (1st)
• Ernie Els, South Africa (8th)
• Branden Grace, South Africa (1st)
• Marc Leishman, Australia (1st)
• Hideki Matsyama, Japan (1st)
• Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa (1st)
• Charl Schwartzel, South Africa (2nd)
• Adam Scott, Australia (6th)
• Richard Sterne, South Africa (1st)
• Captain: Nick Price, Zimbabwe.

Notes:  

Keep an eye on the U.S’ Jordan Spieth as the hot handed rookie cruises into the President’s Cup this year with nothing but smiles on his face.  The young gun who earned our Rookie of the Year Award, will want to prove to the world that Fred Couples made the right choice for his Captain’s pick. When asked about playing with the 20-year old, Steve Stricker said, “Who doesn’t want to play with him? I think everybody on our team wants to play with him.”

(Cover Photo Credit)