DESPITE coming up short in his bid to end the United States dominance of the Presidents Cup, the International team captain Nick Price said he was proud of his team’s performance and put his hand up for a second crack at Presidents Cup captaincy in 2015.
Daniel Nhakaniso
The Zimbabwean golf legend took charge for the first time at Muirfield Village Golf Club, and although his players fought hard in the final day’s singles, they eventually fell three points short of the Americans.
Despite a dramatic comeback from the Internationals, the Presidents Cup title went to the US team for an eighth time. The final score was 18-½ to 15-½ in favour of the US.
Fred Couples’ US team retained the trophy thanks to a 18.5-15.5 victory, secured when Tiger Woods edged his singles match with Richard Sterne. Couples afterwards ruled out leading the American team for a fourth time, but defeat did not put off his counterpart Price.
The Harare-bred three-time Major Champion hopes that he will be asked to lead the team in two years’ time at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea located in New Songdo City, South Korea.
“This was just a phenomenal week for all of us and I want to congratulate the US team. They played golf that was just incredible to watch.
“They combined well, but for this team, I would be honoured if they ever asked me to be captain of this team again. I don’t care where it is,” said Price, who competed in five President Cups as a player.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Despite losing, it’s interesting to note that the Internationals team only has eight players from outside the top-25 in the world rankings, while the American team features six players in the top 10. Considering they were up against the world’s best, it is fair to conclude that the Internationals acquitted themselves well under Price.
Price was criticised before the tournament for choosing his fellow Zimbabwean Brendon De Jonge as one of his two captain’s picks ahead of South Africa’s Tim Clark, who had represented the Internationals three times before.
However, De Jonge justified his selection with a mature display throughout the tournament, winning praises from teammates, opponents and the commentators.
“Nick was in a very difficult situation. When you have captain’s picks, always somebody is going to be disappointed. And obviously in this case it was Tim Clark,” his playing partner in the first two days Ernie Els from South Africa said. “Our views were asked and it was raised. I obviously supported Brendon, because of his play, the way he’s playing, the way he hits the golf ball and the way it suits this golf course.”
