EXPLAINED: How Does the Presidents Cup Scoring Work?

After nearly three years, the Presidents Cup will finally be back on our TV screens. Though the much-anticipated event was set to take place in the fall of last year, it will finally occur in the next few days. Because it’s been a while since the Presidents Cup last occurred, we take a look at how the scoring system in the tournament works.

The International team play competition will take place from September 22nd to 25th in Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina, Charlotte, which also happens to be the annual venue for the Wells Fargo Championship. As a result, it is a familiar territory of the Presidents Cup team USA.

The competition consists of two teams: Team USA and International Team. European players will not be a participant in the event as they get to compete in the Ryder Cup. Nonetheless, the event will consist of some of the greatest active golfers in the world. With so much at stake, how does the scoring system work in the tournament?

Scoring system of Presidents Cup

Since the last Presidents Cup, each player is required to play a minimum of one match ahead of the final-round singles matches. This was a change in 2019 from previous years when players were required to compete in two matches before singles matches.

With a total of 30 points, all matches are worth one point each. The tournament will have no playoffs as each side will receive a half point if a match is tied after 18 holes. In a change inspired by the events of the 2003 Presidents Cup, if the competition is deadlocked at the end of Singles play, the competition will be deemed a tie and the teams will share the Presidents Cup.

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Considering the controversy surrounding the permission to let LIV Golf stars participate, Cameron Smith was removed from the International team. Nonetheless, the tournament will also feature some big names such as Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, and Hideki Matsuyama to name a few. With so many stars representing their nation, what’s the schedule for the upcoming tournament?

The Presidents Cup’s schedule

Similar to the last installment, the 2022 Presidents Cup will also have the same playing format. The tournament will follow a four-day match-play event. Both teams will undergo 30 matches and the team with the highest point total at the end of the fourth-day claims the Presidents Cup.

Out of the 30 matches, 18 games will be a team match – nine apiece using the Foursomes and Four-balls formats – followed by 12 Singles matches on Sunday. As per the schedule, five foursome (alternate shot) matches will be played on Thursday, while Friday includes five four-ball (best ball) matches. On Saturday, which is the penultimate day of the event, eight matches will be split into morning and afternoon sessions.

In the morning session, four foursome matches will be played while four fall-ball matches will be contested in the afternoon. On Sunday’s finale, 12 singles matches will be played.

With only a few days left for the much-anticipated event, which team are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments section below.

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