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Independence Day: Top 5 Team USA golf moments of the last 20 years

By Brandon Raper

CHASKA, MN - OCTOBER 02: Captain Davis Love III of the United States celebrates during the closing ceremony of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
CHASKA, MN - OCTOBER 02: Captain Davis Love III of the United States celebrates during the closing ceremony of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Independence Day 2003 Ryder Cup
GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 23: Gary Player, Captain of The International team and Jack Nicklaus, Captain of the USA team after they agree to share The Presidents Cup between USA and The Internatioanl team on the November 23, 2003 at The Links Fancourt Golf Course, George, South Africa. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

The 2003 Presidents Cup wasn’t the first international contest since the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001. However, it still carried plenty of emotion with it as the International team returned to competition after a three-year break.

Both teams brought the heat at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club in Cape Town, South Africa. The International team, led by Gary Player, took on Jack Nicklaus’s American squad with intentions of defending their home turf. At this time, the Internationals were 1-3 in the Presidents Cup, but they were just five years removed from a nine-point win at Royal Melbourne.

The Americans were the decidedly older team this year, with just five players under the age of 35, against nine on the International side. Still, the sides traded blows each of the first two days, with Player’s team leading Thursday foursomes, and the Americans taking both Friday sessions.

This Cup didn’t go down as one of the greatest in history without what happened on the weekend, though. The International side swept Saturday’s four-ball matches, setting up a Sunday for the ages.

Team USA got out of the gates on a hot streak, with Jim Furyk, Jerry Kelly and Kenny Perry tying the contest with wins in their singles matches. The Internationals won four matches the rest of the way to keep their edge, but when Tiger Woods defeated Ernie Els 4&3, the sides were tied once again. It would take a sudden-death playoff between the two to decide the championship.

Woods was at the peak of his game, but so was Els. After three halved holes, sunlight was fading fast and it was clear the match couldn’t continue.

The debate wasn’t quick, but in the end, Nicklaus and Player – career rivals who will be connected forever – made the only sporting decision they could. A split Cup, the only fitting end to a historic event.

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