Every few years, certain storylines in the world of golf recycle themselves with the predictability of a Patrick Reed lawsuit. Among them: Tiger Woods’ latest comeback, Rory McIlroy’s perennial chase for a green jacket at Augusta, and, inevitably, the question of what can be done to salvage the Presidents Cup. This biennial event, which pits the United States against an International team drawn from everywhere except Europe, remains a source of spirited debate. Despite moments of entertainment, the competition has seldom been competitive, with the Internationals winning only once in 1998. Most recently, they suffered their 10th consecutive defeat at Royal Montreal, losing 18.5 to 11.5—a drubbing no matter how optimistically it’s framed.
As the gap between the two teams grows wider, ideas for leveling the playing field abound. Some suggest shortening the duration of the event, others propose altering the format by incorporating female players, and a few voices even argue for scrapping the tournament altogether. But there’s another solution that has been largely overlooked: changing ownership of the Presidents Cup.
Currently, the Presidents Cup is owned and operated by the PGA Tour. Created under former commissioner Deane Beman and first staged during Tim Finchem’s tenure, the event was designed to ride the wave of enthusiasm generated by the Ryder Cup. But the Tour maintains tight control over every aspect of the competition, from selecting the captains to determining who is eligible to play, even choosing the host venues. The exclusion of LIV Golf defectors like Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, and Abraham Ancer has only further diluted the strength of the International team, though even with stronger lineups, they’ve struggled to compete in the past.
So, what if the PGA Tour sold partial ownership of the Presidents Cup and ceded control of the International team? This would allow for fresh management, new eligibility criteria, and the creation of a more balanced playing field. Such a change would be akin to the European model for the Ryder Cup, where decision-making is split between Europe and the United States. Allowing the International team to manage itself would remove the current restrictions, potentially bringing back stars like Smith and Niemann while giving the event more autonomy in its global reach.
Joe Ogilvie, a former player and now board member of PGA Tour Enterprises, has floated the idea of monetizing some of the Tour’s assets, including the Presidents Cup. In a letter to Tour members, Ogilvie hinted that the event has unrealized value. The prospect of selling part of the Cup to a private investor could breathe new life into the competition, not just as a sporting event but as a commercial property with genuine global appeal. So, who might buy it?
The most obvious (and controversial) candidate is the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the same entity backing LIV Golf. However, other wealthy individuals and corporations with a vested interest in the global growth of golf could also step up. One potential buyer is South African billionaire Johann Rupert, a well-known golf enthusiast and the host of the Dunhill Links Championship. Then there’s Pawan Munjal, CEO of Hero MotoCorp, who has built strong ties with the sport through his partnership with Tiger Woods. Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas, who brought a WGC tournament to Mexico, and Korean industrialist Jin Roy Ryu, who backed the 2015 Presidents Cup in Seoul, could also be viable candidates.
Each of these potential investors could bring new energy, resources, and strategies to the International side of the Presidents Cup. This shift in ownership would allow the International team to evolve independently, free from the limitations imposed by the PGA Tour. It would also open the door for more innovative thinking about where and how the tournament is hosted. While recent International venues like Montreal and Melbourne have provided a change of scenery, they are far from groundbreaking locations for those aiming to grow the sport globally.
By setting the International side free, the Presidents Cup could transform from a largely U.S.-centric affair into a truly global competition. With an international management team in place, the event could expand its footprint to new regions, offering opportunities for countries and sponsors hungry for a presence in professional golf. And for fans, a more competitive and unpredictable event would bring back the excitement that has been lacking in recent years.
The Presidents Cup has now been running for 30 years, and while it has moments of intrigue, it has yet to capture the intensity and drama of its European counterpart, the Ryder Cup. If the PGA Tour wants to unlock the full potential of this competition, selling partial ownership to an international investor could be the best path forward. Such a move would not only create a more level playing field but also globalize the sport in a meaningful way, something that has been a stated goal of the PGA Tour for decades.
It’s easy to dismiss the idea as radical, but radical solutions are sometimes the most effective. The Presidents Cup doesn’t need to be scrapped, but it does need a shake-up. By giving the International side autonomy, both the competition and the commercial prospects of the event would be invigorated, making it more than just a glorified exhibition for U.S. dominance.
As the golf world continues to evolve, perhaps it’s time to let go of the old model. As the famous line from Jonathan Livingston Seagull goes: “If you love something, set it free.” It may be the only way to save the Presidents Cup from its cycle of mediocrity.
