Presidents Cup: back at the Royal Montreal

It’s now official, Montreal will host an international event in September 2024. The PGA Tour announced on Monday the coming of the prestigious Presidents Cup tournament.

Thus, the Commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed the information published in the first news by Le Journal last Wednesday. The best international golfers meet their rivals from the United States on the Royal Montreal blue course to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.

In 2007, the L’Île-Bizard golf course hosted the tournament which had been a resounding success in the American conquest. We remember the victory of Canadian Mike Weir against Tiger Woods on the 18th hole in the Sunday duels. The American Woody Austin had also scored in his own way this seventh edition when he fell into the water in the lake near the 14th pennant.

Help from Nicklaus and Weir

With the success of 13 years ago and to commemorate the rich history of the club which has also hosted 10 Canadian omniums, the PGA Tour could not ignore the Montreal bid. It was also supported by golfers Jack Nicklaus and Mike Weir as well as politicians Jean Chrétien and Jean Charest.

“The Royal Montreal has been a real test for golfers on the PGA Tour over the years. Golf enthusiasts are passionate. We see it in the tournaments we organize in Canada. The country also has some good young players. This event will be timely for them, ”also explained Commissioner Monahan by teleconference.

According to the schedule, the event was scheduled to take place in September 2023, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of international golfing events such as the Ryder Cup, it has been pushed back for a year.

“This is tremendous news for Montreal, both for the tourism economy and for the city’s influence. The holding of prestigious events such as the Presidents Cup on Quebec soil is an extraordinary showcase and economic lever, ”responded the Minister responsible for the Metropolis, Chantal Rouleau.

To carry out the project in connection with the organizing committee of the Royal Montreal, the PGA Tour sent the one who worked until now to organize the Players’ Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Ryan Hart. The latter does not intend to make major changes to the famous blue course. Without specifying the work to be done, he has four years to prepare him for the great visit of the best golfers in the world.

Succession

Exactly, golf enthusiasts could dream of a captains’ duel between Tiger Woods, on the American side, and Mike Weir, on the international side.

In a press briefing, Weir mentioned that he will wait until the next Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow in 2022 before raising his hand. But since he played a role in that candidacy, it would be surprising if he didn’t take on that role.

With the young wolves growing, we can expect a change of guard among the golfers, and this, within both teams. The representatives of the maple leaf will not be neglected among Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Smith and company.

In the American camp, we expect to see the new wave led by Bryson DeChambeaus, Cameron Champ and new star Collin Morikawa. Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and others will then be veterans.

A gift for Golf Québec

In 2007, businessman and lawyer Michael Richards was one of the great architects of the Presidents Cup coming to Montreal. In the return of this prestigious international tournament to the metropolis, he is a key player.

Richards showed up with an impressive schedule at Liberty National Course in New Jersey, hosting the Presidents Cup in September 2017. In order to once again host the event at Royal Montreal, he sold the 2007 hits to executives. of the PGA circuit, before being cooled down immediately.

“They told me that we were too late since discussions had already started with other international organizing committees for almost a year,” said the man in an interview with The newspaper, Monday. But they gave us a little glimmer of hope. As I never give up, they encouraged us to move forward by officially submitting our candidacy.

“We were the underdog in the award process,” recalled the one who had dreamed of it again for many years.

In its mission to increase its network and the popularity of golf in Asia, the PGA Tour aimed to present another international event in this market. The Presidents Cup was presented in South Korea in 2015 and Australia in 2011, before returning there in 2019.

Juniors will benefit

For Richards and his team, it was a disappointment, as he firmly believed in the candidacy of the oldest golf club in North America, founded in 1873. Three years later, his tenacity rewarded him. He says thus: mission accomplished!

In the process of Montreal’s candidacy, the Golf Québec organization played its role, as did Golf Canada. He demonstrated that the tournament will leave an indelible legacy in Quebec. Who will be the winners? The juniors.

“With the spinoffs of this tournament, we will be able to invest in junior programs,” said the organization’s general manager, Jean-Pierre Beaulieu. The event will be popular and development will benefit. ”

During the PGA Tour press conference on Monday, it was announced that the national Future Links program will join that of the international organization First Tee, which introduces young people to golf.

“The coming of the Presidents Cup in Quebec and the alliance with First Tee will help us develop new programs for young people, more complete than the one we have now,” said the director of the organization.