PRESIDENTS CUP: Royal Melbourne to host in 2019

BY BRENDAN JAMES

The Presidents Cup is returning to Royal Melbourne Golf Club, this time in 2019. It will be the third time Australia’s premier course has played host to the biennial event.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced the venue for the 13th edition of matches during a press conference on day three of the Presidents Cup at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

The victorious US team share the win with fans at Royal Melbourne in 2011.
PHOTO: Getty Images.

He also announced that the 2016 World Cup of Golf will also be played in Melbourne, for the fifth time in the 58-year history of the competition.

"The state of Victoria in Australia will serve as the host for the World Cup in 2016 and the Presidents Cup in 2019," the commissioner said.

“The venue for both events will be at one of the very many Melbourne premier golf courses in the Sandbelt region. And we will be announcing a date in a few weeks.

"Both events will be in the November time frame as we have historically played these events in Australia."

Jason Day and Adam Scott with the World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne in 2013. PHOTO: Getty Images

While Finchem wouldn’t be drawn on which course will play host, it is understood Royal Melbourne is the front-runner for the Presidents Cup.

“The PGA Tour and the International Federation of PGA Tours are elated to partner with the State of Victoria to bring The Presidents Cup and World Cup of Golf back to Australia,” Finchem said.

“Australia is home to some of the best golfers on the PGA Tour, not to mention some of the world’s most passionate fans. The success of the recent 2011 Presidents Cup and 2013 World Cup of Golf has reinforced Victoria’s stature as a global golf destination and makes the area a perfect choice to welcome these esteemed competitions back within the next four years.”

The Internationals had their only win in the history of the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in 1998 with a 20.5 to 11.5 victory and lost to the U.S. in 2011, 19 to 15.

US Captain Fred Couples with the Presidents Cup after his team's win in 2011.
PHOTO: Getty Images.

Jason Day is the reigning World Cup individual champion, and he paired with Adam Scott to claim winning team honours.

"I'm very, very happy that we're returning to Melbourne, where I won the World Cup," said Jason Day, one of four Australians competing this week in Seoul.

"Whether we play at Royal Melbourne or some other golf course, I just like playing that sort of golf, and being back in front of the home crowd will be fantastic. And for up-and-coming players from Australia, they have something to shoot for – that goal of getting on that Presidents Cup team and playing in their home country."

Scott said it was exciting news for Australian golf.

"Obviously with the World Cup going back and Jason and I having won it the last time it was played in Melbourne, I look forward to hopefully playing again, and the same for the Presidents Cup," he said.