USA's 10-year Presidents Cup reign

Team USA has won every Presidents Cup since 2005 and lost only once in the event's entire history. The International Team seeks their first victory on American soil at Medinah.

Medinah's 'Miracle' precedent

Fourteen years ago, Team Europe staged a historic final-day comeback at Medinah to win the Ryder Cup. The International Team now hopes to replicate that upset against the odds.

International Team's underdog roster

The International Team has four rookies and only three players in the world's top 30, making them heavy underdogs based on rankings and PGA Tour success compared to Team USA.

USA faces pressure after Ryder Cup loss

Team USA suffered a humbling home Ryder Cup loss last year, with only a singles comeback preventing a heavier defeat. Captain Brandt Snedeker says the team must reset expectations.

“Just because these last teams have been successful, doesn't mean we're going to be successful.”

Snedeker's reset message

Brandt Snedeker told his team they are 0-0 with nothing accomplished, emphasizing that past Presidents Cup wins don't guarantee future success and standards must be reset.

“These 12 guys have accomplished nothing and we're going to hammer that into them.”

Europe's Ryder Cup blueprint

Team Europe has won nine of the last 12 Ryder Cups despite typically being underdogs on paper, proving that team cohesion and collective goals can overcome talent gaps.

“Europe have shown that a cohesion of a team can overcome a huge talent gap.”

Ryan Fox on emulating Europe

Reigning Open Champion Ryan Fox said the International Team can learn from Europe's approach of having one collective goal and not being intimidated by Team USA.

“If these guys can do it, we can do it, too.”

Seven nations united under one shield

The International Team comprises seven different nationalities playing under a black and gold shield introduced by Ernie Els in 2019 to create team unity among non-USA, non-Europe players.

Recent International Team momentum

Nico Echavarria and Tom Kim won PGA Tour events this season, while Adam Scott and Ryan Fox impressed at the BMW PGA Championship, giving the International Team recent form heading into Medinah.

Ogilvy sees the gap narrowing

Captain Geoff Ogilvy, who helped redesign Medinah's course, believes the International Team is getting closer to USA competitiveness despite the difficulty of winning for the first time.

“We're getting closer all the time.”

Europe's current dominance

Team Europe holds both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup after recent wins in New York and the Netherlands, with Rory McIlroy hoping the International Team also claims the Presidents Cup.

“All we need now is the Internationals to do it - that would be great.”

Unlikely but far from impossible

While an International Team victory would be shocking, the article suggests it's not impossible given recent trends in team golf and the power of collective team cohesion over individual talent.