Presidents Cup – Royal Melbourne to play for the Internationals
November 15th, 2011 by Doogs
Royal Melbourne 6th(West) - Playing as the 4th during Presidents Cup 2011
With the International and US teams now in Melbourne, the golfing world has turned its focus onto Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the 2011 Presidents Cup. A look at the two teams gives an advantage to the USA team from a world ranking perspective. With 10 players in the top 25 top ranked players in the world versus 5 for the Internationals, USA looks very strong,. Both teams have a good mix of experience in previous Presidents Cups, the US have an added advantage in competing in similar format during the Ryder Cup. But all thats just on paper.
| International | Rank | Pres Cups | USA | Rank | Pres Cups |
| Scott | 7 | 5 | Stricker | 5 | 4 |
| Day | 8 | 1 | Johnson | 6 | 1 |
| Schwartzel | 13 | 1 | Simpson | 9 | 1 |
| KJ Choi | 15 | 3 | Kuchar | 10 | 1 |
| Kim | 24 | 1 | Watney | 11 | 1 |
| Ogilvy | 38 | 3 | Mickelson | 12 | 9 |
| Yang | 43 | 2 | Watson | 17 | 1 |
| Baddeley* | 47 | 1 | Mahan | 18 | 3 |
| Ishikawa | 49 | 2 | Toms | 20 | 4 |
| Goosen | 51 | 6 | Haas* | 22 | 1 |
| Els | 52 | 7 | Furyk | 41 | 7 |
| Allenby* | 69 | 6 | Woods* | 50 | 7 |
- Captains Pick
The Internationals have one additional player on their side, Royal Melbourne Golf Course. The Australians will have an advantage on the home track, especially if the wind kicks in from Port Phillip Bay. Royal Melbourne has plenty of risk and reward, and together with the undulating greens, there will be drama aplenty.
The 401 metre par 4 4th hole (West Course 6th) sums up the course. Driving from an elevated tee the righthand dogleg turns sharply providing the player with a bailout but beckons you to take on the corner over the rough and bunker complex. The green is one of the toughest on the course, and you do not want to be above the hole facing the real threat of putting off the front.
Looking forward to an epic finish on Sunday as the final single matches go down to the wire. Prediction: Internationals 18 – USA 16
