The Round Table: Final thoughts on the drubbing at Quail Hollow

Each week we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

The Presidents Cup is over and as expected, the Americans won. However, it wasn’t quite the drubbing many had predicted. What’s one thing Trevor Immelman might have done differently that could have yielded a better outcome?

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: Immelman deserves a lot of credit. His team was ‘light’ from the beginning, but he never once conceded anything. His remarks were those of a true gentleman. His decision-making was excellent only falling short by the normal complaint; we needed to make a few more putts.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): I’m intrigued by an opinion piece I read (HERE) that Immelman should have and could have fought harder to include LIV golfers on his team. Given that the Presidents Cup is controlled by the PGA Tour, which is in a lawsuit with LIV Golf, this likely would not have gone over too well in Ponte Vedra, but if there was any chance to add Cam Smith, Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen to the International team it could have made a world of difference.

Which player or players would you single out for special attention (positive or negative) based on their performance?

Schurman: Full credit is due to Jordan Spieth with a record of 5 and 0. Reverse that and there’s a different outcome.

Mumford: Spieth for his excellent play. He continues to be a class act. Justin Thomas has become the de facto leader on the American team and the most annoying. Tom Kim in his debut role was fun to watch and didn’t look like the pressure bothered him at all. He has a very bright future ahead.

Any final thoughts on the Presidents Cup?

Schurman: Boy, I hate to continue ragging on this subject, but this event needs to differentiate itself from the Ryder Cup by including the women. Assemble two teams of 12 men and 8 ladies and draw the matches from a hat so 2 women might play one man and one woman, or a woman might be paired against a man in the singles to decide the entire tournament. If you want to grow golf around the world which is what this event is all about, include the women and play in countries where golf is not as popular as in the USA. BTW when I first introduced this concept 5 years ago, it was met with uproarious laughter. A recent poll indicates that 35% of TV Viewers think it’s a good idea.

Mumford: Despite the predictions for a lopsided American win, this was quite entertaining. Unfortunately, it’s like the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals. You always know the outcome before it starts. I think Immelman did a great job of generating team chemistry and giving his players a focus. I’d like to see if they can build on that for 2024 before changing the format. My final thought: Paul Azinger is the biggest homer on the planet.