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Presidents Cup: Four Factors for an International team upset

By Mike Randleman

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Ernie Els, captain of the International Team speaks at the Presidents Cup International Team Reception after day four of the 2018 World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on November 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Ernie Els, captain of the International Team speaks at the Presidents Cup International Team Reception after day four of the 2018 World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on November 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) /
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INCHEON CITY, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 08: Members of the Fanatics cheer for the International Team on the first tee during the Thursday foursomes matches at The Presidents Cup at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on October 8, 2015 in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, South Korea (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INCHEON CITY, SOUTH KOREA – OCTOBER 08: Members of the Fanatics cheer for the International Team on the first tee during the Thursday foursomes matches at The Presidents Cup at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on October 8, 2015 in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, South Korea (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

When you think of the Ryder Cup, one of the first things to come to mind is the energetic crowds cheering on each side in full throat.

At the Presidents Cup?

Not so much.

But, there’s something for International fans to get up in arms about this year.

It’s none other than Captain America, Patrick Reed.

Already a villain in many ways on Tour, Reed further dug the trench with his actions at last week’s Hero World Challenge.

The 2018 Masters champion was slapped with a two-stroke penalty after his round Saturday where a camera caught him improving his lie by swatting away sand before striking his ball.

Reed wouldn’t fess up to the crime, stating that it was a bad camera angle and this was all just a misunderstanding. Uh, right.

He received plenty of criticism from the public and even from an International team opponent, Cameron Smith.

Smith told the Australian Associated Press “It’s bulls–t” and “I hope the crowd absolutely gives it to not only him, but everyone (on team USA) next week.”

Alright then!

We’ve got some drama stirring up, and the golf-crazed Australia fans will have a little more incentive to be rowdy out at Royal Melbourne.

We’ve seen Reed thrive in his role as a villain, but this undertaking could be more than he can handle.

Plus, he needed a captain’s pick to get in after struggling most of the year.

I think he’ll only play two, maybe three sessions before singles, but he’ll be under a lot of pressure to pull out a point.

This could be one of the more spirited international home crowds who will be sure to let all 12 Americans have it.

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