Watching the Presidents Cup Singles Matches was an exercise in golf viewing endurance. Going in with the expectation that the Cup would inevitably remain with the U.S. team, an interested viewer had to search for a hook. The Woods v. Weir and Mickelson v. Singh matches proved very watchable and there were boatloads of good shots all day long, but the suspense just wasn’t there.
In fact, the entire tournament seemed weird. It was friendly and sporting, which prompts the question: Is the congenial atmosphere a good thing?
Pro: It’s perfect if the matches are close and the actual golf shots are doing the talking. Not rude fans. Not digs from one team against the other. Not gamesmanship controversy. Golf is a gentleman’s game and the teams were led by two of the games most respected and accomplished players in the history of the game – Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. A congenial atmosphere makes for a great golf tournament if the matches are close.
Con: However, if the matches aren’t close there’s not much to talk about. By definition it’s difficult to remain friendly when controversy invades hitting a golf ball. The players aren’t used to team play, and that often leads to what some might call a robust “competitive spirit.” The thing about golf is that, unlike in hockey or football, trash-talk on the field of play rarely goes unheard. This years Presidents Cup could have used a little more “competitive spirit.”
The Presidents Cup has done what the Ryder Cup has failed to do – it has brought together players from around the world and allowed them play great golf and laugh together afterwards. When the week is done, egos are intact and knees not too bruised from first-tee jitters.
Golf is a game. A great game.