The Presidents Cup, which begins this week in Ohio, will lose all credibility unless the Internationals can start winning, according to Masters champion Adam Scott.
The Americans have dominated the series since its inception, with the Internationals winning just once, at Royal Melbourne in 1998. In 2003 the cup ended in a 17-17 draw in South Africa.
"I think the cup loses any credibility whatsoever if they don’t start winning soon,” Scott said. "The Internationals need to step up and win the thing and make it a real competition.
"I’m getting tired of getting killed out there. This is a big year for us. It’s our time. I think it’s crucial. We have to win this year."
The 10th clash in the biennial showdown between United States and non-European squads begins on Thursday at Jack Nicklaus-designed Muirfield Village course.
Zimbabwe’s Nick Price will captain the internationals against an American all-star line-up led again by Fred Couples, who captained the US to a 19-15 victory in 2011 at Royal Melbourne.
The Ryder Cup-style event includes 11 foursomes and 11 four-ball matches over three days and 12 concluding singles matches on Sunday.
Scott has played in five losing sides but Victorian Geoff Ogilvy says the Americans will generally have an edge because of their Ryder Cup experience over the years against Europe and the fact that the Internationals are cobbled together every two years with the best players available from a host of different countries.
"I think it’s just as important for each team to come together as a team, regardless of which team,” said Ogilvy, who was part of the 2011 Presidents Cup but did not qualify this year.
“But I think it’s probably slightly easier for the American guys, one, because they do it more often, and two, because they’re starting out all as one country.
"We end up one country for sure as soon as we get to the tournament. We just become that International team, and we are all part of the same team for sure. But it probably takes more for us, more of a leap for us to become that way than the Americans.”
Meanwhile, captain’s pick Marc Leishman from Warrnambool is anxious to play in the foursomes with Scott after he was paired with the Queenslander in the final round at Augusta earlier this year and watched Scott break Australia’s drought at the tournament.
"I would love to play with Adam – awesome player, awesome bloke, we get along really well," said Leishman, who will make his debut for the international team.
"I would definitely love that pairing. As I said, we get along well. There is no reason why not. But I don’t know what Nick (Price) is thinking at the moment.
"I guess we will start to talk about that once we get to Colombus and start chatting as a team. I don’t know who the other guys want to play with yet but that’s definitely one I would love to play, with Scotty."
Leishman admits he would relish the opportunity to play alongside Scott at the World Cup at Royal Melbourne later this year, but knows that is a long shot, unless Jason Day or Scott become unavailable.
"I would love to play that," Leishman said. "That would be huge to play for Australia at the World Cup, in Australia at Royal Melbourne. From what I hear it’s more than likely I am not going to get the call-up because the other two boys are playing.
"I will be ready to go if I do get that call."
For the time being, however, the Victorian is delighted to have won selection for this week’s cup.
"It was exciting. It was an awesome feeling to get the nod and be named on the team and have the confirmation."
By: Robert Grant