Aussie ‘aura' could end winning drought
Australian golfing great Geoff Ogilvy has the 'aura' to lead the International Team to a drought-breaking Presidents Cup win, according to one of the young stars the new captain will have in his team in 2026.
A three-time Presidents Cup player and four-time assistant captain, Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open winner, has been locked in as the next International Team captain for the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah in Chicago.
The International Team has only won the Presidents Cup once, in 1998, but the next generation of players, including Korean-born star Tom Kim, are keen to end the US domination and have shown a willingness to take it up to the golfing powerhouse.
In the last event in Canada, the International Team went undefeated in five Friday foursomes matches that Kim, who was involved in multiple exchanges with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, said was a 'really big moment' when it came to belief.
Despite going on to lose the clash, for a 10th straight time, Kim, the world No.38, said momentum was building and Ogilvy would bring the confidence of a major winner to the next clash.
'It's really cool. I'm really happy for Geoff. He really deserves it. I've been a part of two Presidents Cup and he's been vice-captain for both of them,' Kim said.
'I think we've had a lot of good runs. We've had a lot of good days. We went 5-0 on Friday last year. I think it was really a big moment for the team.
'I know at the end of Sunday, the scores weren't as close as we would expect, but we had moments where we've scared the US team, I think. And he's been a part of that.
'I think the belief is there of knowing we can get over the hump.
'I think with Geoff, seeing the really high moments and the low moments, he has that charisma and the aura to be able to lead us to win. And he has the confidence for sure, being a major winner and knowing what it's like to win at big events. Team International captain Geoff Ogilvy and Team USA captain Brandt Snedeker with the Presidents Cup. Ben Jared/PGA Tour Credit: Supplied
'And I think if he can just get our team to keep experiencing the higher highs a little bit more, and the lows, just be a little better.
'I really believe that we'll have a chance, especially I know how hard it is on American soil.'
Ogilvy pointed to the 'disappointment' of that challenge in Canada falling short as fuel for players like Kim, who has already played in two losing teams at 22 years of age.
'Disappointment usually fuels motivation, so the group is very passionate about it and very determined to sort of balance the ledger, if you like, and start winning this
tournament a bit more regularly,' Ogilvy said.
'As I said, it just looks so much fun to win.
'These young guys who are sort of getting going on their Presidents Cup journeys really feel the long time sort of disappointments that Adam (Scott) and Hideki (Matsuyama) have had and frustrations and really want to win for them, I think.
'The hunger is definitely there.'
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