Scott rallies Presidents Cup mates to end 26-year wait

Australia's former world No.1 Adam Scott says building an early lead will be key to the International team breaking a 26-year Presidents Cup drought in 2024.

ADAM SCOTT.
ADAM SCOTT. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Senior statesman Adam Scott reckons Team Europe have provided the blueprint for the Internationals to snap a 26-year Presidents Cup drought.

Captained by Canada's former Masters winner Mike Weir, the Internationals will attempt to wrestle back the trophy from the US for the first time since 1998 when the two nations collide next September at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

After debuting in a squared Presidents Cup encounter in South Africa in 2003, Scott has featured in nine consecutive International losses despite carving out a decent record of 18 wins, six ties and 25 losses from 49 matches against the formidable Americans.

Now, Australia's former world No.1 believes the Internationals need to follow the template drawn up by Europe earlier this month in a dominant 16.5 to 11.5 Ryder Cup triumph over the US in Italy: strike first and hit hard.

With superstars Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy leading the way, Europe established a 4-0 lead after the opening session of foursomes for the first time ever in Ryder Cup.

Luke Donald's team increased their day-one lead to 6.5 to 1.5 after the fourballs as the US failed to win a single match in a day for the first time in the competition's 96-year history.

Even with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and fellow heavyweights Brooks Koepka, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Scahuffele, there was no coming back for the Americans.

Now Scott, the world No.41 and an-almost certain captain's pick even if he slips down the rankings in 2024, says his aspiring International teammates can take heart from Europe's dominant display.

"I'm not going to sit here and start knocking the American players, that's for sure," Scott said in a Zoom call ahead of his appearance at this week's Japan Open.

"(But) Europe looked like a really organised and well-packaged team there in Rome. They got on top of the US early and (Team USA) had nothing, really, after that.

"I believe that's the way you've got to beat the US team - get up on them early.

"And I know Mike, as the captain, and all the guys as the team takes shape over the next 12 months, will be excited for Montreal and look to keep the trophies out of the US hands."