Snedeker wants Americans to feel they’re starting over in a Presidents Cup they always win

Medinah, Illinois (AP) — The United States golf team, composed of 12 players, gathered for a practice session on a relatively calm Monday at Medinah. The President's Cup consistently feels like a joyful event, primarily because the American team almost invariably emerges victorious. In preparation for the upcoming competition, Snedeker divided the group into three segments, all of which exhibited confidence while occasionally engaging in friendly banter.

Historically, the United States has never lost a President's Cup. However, there was one exception in 1997, when they suffered a significant defeat in Australia during the final days of the year. It has been 26 years since that loss. Three of the 24 members in this year's team were not even born during that previous loss, as it was the sole occasion when the Internationals triumphed.

Could Medinah be different this time around? "It's the elephant in the room," admitted U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker. "Despite the fact that these latter teams have been victorious, we must re-establish our expectations and remind ourselves that we have a zero-win record." Each Presidents Cup offers renewed optimism for the Internationals, a team that includes athletes from every continent except Europe.

The American team's advantage stems from their extensive roster, with all but two players ranked within the top 25 globally. Veteran Patrick Cantlay (No. 28) and rising star Jackson Koivun (No. 1 amateur) are the exceptions, with Koivun becoming the first player to start the Presidents Cup without a PGA Tour card and finish it with a team appearance.

Snedeker cautioned against viewing Koivun's participation as a preparatory step for future events, emphasizing that the American team must be positioned for success. The Internationals' star player, Si Woo Kim, leads the rankings with No. 14, having earned $10 million in a PGA Tour season without winning. Among the Internationals' rookies is Ryan Fox, a 39-year-old New Zealander whose victory in the British Open with a final-hole birdie stands out.

Adam Scott, aiming to achieve his 12th Presidents Cup appearance, aims to end his losing streak. The primary challenge for the International team lies in their history, as they have lost to the Americans in previous finals, including South Korea in 2015 and Virginia in 2005. While the Internationals may gain an advantage by playing on a course designed by Snedeker himself, they are fully aware that the course is far from familiar.