Grinding out a ninth consecutive Presidents Cup victory on Sunday could be a launching pad for US golfers to achieve something they have not managed since 1993 — a Ryder Cup victory on foreign soil.
Many of those who defeated a non-European Internationals squad 17.5-12.5 at Quail Hollow figure to play for the US against Europe next year in Rome.
Jordan Spieth, who went 5-0 to lead the US Presidents Cup squad, said his road-win confidence remains as high as it was after the US routed Europe 19-9 last year at Whistling Straits — the biggest Ryder Cup blowout since 1967.
Photo: AFP
“The same as it was the Sunday a year ago, if not more,” Spieth said. “It’s a tall task to ask, going over there. I’ve played in a couple of away games now, and they’re very different. But I’d take this team over there against anybody in the world.”
Since a US golf task force was formed after a 2014 Ryder Cup loss at Gleneagles, the US are 6-1 in Ryder and Presidents cups. The lone defeat came at the 2018 Ryder Cup in France.
“Going over there on the road and winning would be incredibly special next year and I really hope I’m a part of the team,” Spieth said.
“I’m very confident in our ability to go over there and win. Nobody here has any scar tissue. Everybody on this [team] would very much embrace what that looks like next year,” he said.
When it comes to US squads going forward, Max Homa is confident after a 4-0 showing this week following a PGA victory last week. At 31, he could be around for a while.
“I like our chances,” Homa said. “I’m one of the older guys on this team, which is crazy. But there’s a ton of great Americans right now, some not even here. So I think America’s going to be in a pretty good place for a little while.”
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