The 2024 Presidents Cup has come to a close, with Team USA once again asserting their dominance, winning by a wide margin of 18.5 to 11.5 against the International Team. While the U.S. victory was expected, the competition still offered some excitement and a lot to reflect on.

In this week’s episode of the Pull Hook Golf podcast, hosts Matt Cook and Buttsy dived into the highlights, key performances, and what could be done to make future Presidents Cups more competitive.

U.S. Wins Again—But Was It Ever in Doubt?

Team USA’s win marks their 13th victory out of 15 Presidents Cup competitions, raising questions about the competitiveness of the event. Matt Cook shared his thoughts on how lopsided the contest felt going into the week.

“I feel like the international team, we knew they weren't going to win,” Matt said, setting the tone for a conversation about how the competition is perceived. Despite the international team putting up a strong fight on the second day, the U.S. team’s overall talent made the outcome seem inevitable.

“I don’t know if you can call it competitive,” Matt added, pointing out that while the international team showed moments of brilliance, the U.S. was never seriously threatened.

The Impact of LIV Golf: Missing Talent on the International Team?

One of the most significant talking points in the podcast was whether the absence of LIV Golf players hurt the international team’s chances. With key players like Joaquin Niemann, Cam Smith and Mito Pereira not participating due to the PGA-LIV divide, Matt suggested that their inclusion could have made a big difference.

“I would love to see the LIV guys come back… I think they would have really competed,” Matt said, emphasizing that allowing LIV players to compete in the Presidents Cup would not only level the playing field but also make the event more exciting.

Buttsy agreed, noting that the international team has the potential to be much stronger if all of their best players could participate. “For certain,” he said, supporting Matt’s call for the inclusion of LIV players in future events.

South Korean Standouts Keep It Interesting

Despite the overall dominance of Team USA, the podcast hosts gave credit where it was due—specifically to the South Korean players on the international team. Matt highlighted that these players brought a lot of energy and competitive spirit to the event, helping to close the gap at times.

“They did make it interesting,” Matt said, acknowledging that while the result wasn’t really in doubt, the South Korean players helped keep fans engaged with their solid play.

Changes Needed to Keep the Presidents Cup Competitive?

With Team USA’s dominance continuing, the Pull Hook Golf hosts discussed whether changes are needed to the Presidents Cup format to keep the competition more balanced. Matt and Buttsy floated several ideas, including rethinking the qualification criteria and considering the return of LIV players to create a more level playing field.

“I think if you don’t allow the LIV guys back, you’re going to continue to see the same result,” Matt argued, making the case that the international team simply doesn’t have the depth to compete with the U.S. without its full roster of talent.

Both hosts agreed that the Presidents Cup could benefit from a refresh, with more emphasis on making the event feel competitive for both teams—and the fans.

Final Thoughts

While the 2024 Presidents Cup offered some exciting moments, the overwhelming strength of Team USA once again highlighted the need for potential changes to the format. Whether it’s the inclusion of LIV players or a shakeup in how teams are selected, the future of the Presidents Cup may depend on making it a more balanced and competitive event.

As Matt Cook put it, “It’s not much of a rivalry when one side keeps winning,” and both hosts agreed that changes could be on the horizon to keep fans and players engaged.

Stay tuned to Pull Hook Golf for more insights and unfiltered takes on the world of professional golf!

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