MEDINAH, Ill. – Michael Phelps and I high-fived.
Fourteen years ago here at Medinah Country Club, the greatest swimmer of all time he had been following the 2012 Ryder Cup from inside the ropes when his arms began to work harder than they had in any pool. The Americans were ahead at the end of the first day, and Phelps was shaking hands with anyone he could find on the left of the 17th hole – and his paw hit mine. It was a moment. I remember Of course it isn’t. But I’m pretty sure they both left thinking Team USA would win, and I’m pretty positive we thought even more the next day.
Three friends and I drove in on the Tuesday night of Cup week. The previous October, one of them told us he had won a ticket lottery, and planned it all over an email thread that included Ian Poulter name in the subject line and I’ll leave it at that. Income for the week – for the week – was $680, and I think it will set you up for a day now. We saw a couple of practice rounds. We were standing next to each other Michael Jordan to a point. Phelps and I connected. I couldn’t leave him hanging.
And we were there on Sunday.
We published near the 16 green, although we saw Bubba Watson start the day by calling the crowd for soul during his opening tee shot in his match against Luke Donald – who eventually won. The first five Europeans did that day, and the Euro won what became known as the Miracle in Medina.
Lot has changed since then. Some things don’t.
Just look at who returned to Medinah for this Presidents’ Cup week. me Maybe Phelps; stay a golf nut. Probably Jordan; is still a Chi-town icon.
And interestingly, a third of that American team – Brandt Snedekerwho is the captain; and Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson, who are all vice captains.
Let’s make that No. 1 thought, then, as we look to the week ahead. The goal is to take things to 18.
2. The story of Bradley’s suitcase also began that week. He was given the Team USA luggage, packed it up — and hasn’t opened it since. An Instagram post about it from Bradley is below.
3. The biggest change of the week, however, is Medinah itself, after an extensive restoration. The wonderful GOLF course raters have described the new look this way: :
Originally completed in 1932, a #3 was arguably Tom Bendelow’s boldest and most beautiful design, but hosting major events took its toll as the narrow, heavily treed course strayed far from its Golden Age roots. The OCM removed the badly placed trees and returned to Bendelow’s daring bunkering as a unifying theme. The rotating property is again both impressive and spacious, and is stitched with large holes throughout. The use of a split rail fence (which marks out of bounds) on holes 5-7 provides excellent strategic tension, and holes 15 and 16 (the Cape 16th is one of five new holes created by OCM) are a blockbuster one-two punch.
4. Regarding the thought of a not wonderful course evaluator? It will make for good match viewing. There are shots that compete with Lake Kadijah, including the tee shot on the 12th hole this week. (The Presidents Cup starts on hole 5 this week, to ensure that the traditional closing holes are played.) On holes 1 through 3 this week, there is out-of-bounds fencing along the entire left side. There is a lot of sand. There is a par-5 of over 600 yards. Monday afternoon, it was windy. And muddy, after the recent storms. There will be some funky.
5. The twist in the new Medinah? One of the designers is the captain of the international team Geoff Ogilvy. What influence that might have is probably negligible, but it makes for an interesting story.
6. In a written story by Bradley S. Klein of the PGA Tour Previewing the week, I thought this was interesting:
“At the suggestion of US Team Captain Snedeker, a 5-foot-wide 1.5-inch intermediate collar was introduced to frame the fairways, with the rough cut raised to 4 inches, meaning the likelihood of heavy, flying lies for approach shots after distracted hits. International.”
7. Let’s name five Americans to watch, and that list starts with Jackson Koivunwho was 7 when the Ryder Cup was here in 2012. There is no doubt the talent. He’s won everything in college, and he’s already won on the PGA Tour. How will you manage a national team event? What if he has a moment that wins a match – or Cup? Where will the hype go then? Of course, he could still lose. On Monday, he played a practice round with Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa.
8. I think you can say a lot of the same things Chris Gotterup. On Monday, he played with Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Cameron Young. Cash also appeared to be online.
9. Chicagoans will be pleased Wyndham ClarkWho heard someone who did not hear this year?
10. What up Collin Morikawa behind to keep?
11. Scottie Scheffler. Each actor to watch the list should include the world No. 1. He is also 3-6-3 in the Ryder Cup and 3-5-1 in the Presidents Cup.
12. We name five international players to watch. There will be one Yes Woo Kim moment this week. Moments probably. Wins too.
13. The same thing can be said Tom Kimwho made his name in this event.
14. I see how Ryan Foxthe son of a former rugby player, he handles an opposing crowd.
15. How many more Presidents Cups will there be Adam Scott play? This week, the 46-year-old makes his 12th appearance. Will he be a playing captain soon?
16. A few weeks ago, Sungjae Im sent Justin Thomas one of his “Him Sunjae” sweaters made by Malbon. This should be a couple of Sunday singles. You must.
17. At some point this week, President Donald Trump is expected to be in Medina.
18. So… who wins?
Hard to say the Americans won’t. The American MVP will be Young. The international team will be Nick Taylor.
And here’s what a few of my colleagues had to say when asked This week’s Confidential Tour what must happen for the Internationals to win:
Dylan Dethier: On paper it looks as unbalanced as ever – maybe even more so than usual. But this event has a habit of getting a little closer than you expect, at least until late Sunday. It would be amazing for the Internationals to count; his plan to get there is by channeling the energy of Si Woo and Tom Kim plus the unpredictable nature of the match game. Look, they have a lot of good golfers too; why not Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama and Co.? I do not know. I’m desperately hoping for a fun weekend.
Josh Schrock: They need their main players – Hideki, Si Woo, Tom Kim and Adam Scott – to be a firewall and then hope that the variance of match play works in their favor in singles. If their big names are beaten, they don’t have a chance.
Zephyr Melton: Do they need…a miracle? Just kidding (sort of). But without the talent they lost at LIV, along with being without stalwart Jason Day, I just don’t see a path to victory for the Internationals.
19. One more! Here’s how to watch it all:
Thursday, September 24: 12:30-7 pm ET (Golf Channel)
Friday, September 25: 2-7 pm ET (Golf Channel)
Saturday, September 26: 8-9 am ET (Golf Channel); 9 am-7 pm ET (NBC)
Sunday, September 27: 12-6 pm ET (NBC)
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