Golf’s Next Megastar? 18 Presidents Cup Thoughts from Medinah

Michael Phelps and I high-fived. Fourteen years ago at Medinah Country Club, swimming’s greatest athlete followed the 2012 Ryder Cup inside the ropes. As the Americans surged on day one, Phelps was high-fiving everyone near the 17th hole. His hand met mine. It was a moment I remember, though he likely doesn't. We both probably left thinking Team USA would win, and even more so the next day.

Three friends and I drove in Tuesday night of Cup week. One of us had won a ticket lottery the previous October and handled all the arrangements. Entry for the week cost $680 then; it might get you one day now. We saw practice rounds, stood near Michael Jordan, and I shared a moment with Phelps. We were there Sunday, too.

We set up near the 16th green. We watched Bubba Watson call for cheers during his opening tee shot against Luke Donald, who eventually won. The first five Europeans that day won what became known as the Miracle at Medinah. Much has changed since then, but some things haven't.

Look who's back at Medinah for this Presidents Cup: me. Maybe Phelps; he’s still a golf enthusiast. Probably Jordan; he remains a Chicago icon. Interestingly, a third of that 2012 American squad—Brandt Snedeker, Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley, and Webb Simpson—are back as captain and vice captains. That's thought number one as we look ahead to this week. The goal is 18 points.

2. The Keegan Bradley suitcase story also originated that week. He received Team USA luggage, packed it, and it's remained unopened since. Bradley posted about it on Instagram.

3. The biggest change this week is Medinah itself, following an extensive restoration. GOLF's course raters described the updated look: "Originally completed in 1932, No. 3 was arguably Tom Bendelow’s boldest and finest design, but playing host to major events took a toll as the narrow, heavily treelined course strayed far from its Golden Age roots. OCM removed poorly positioned trees and reverted to Bendelow’s bold bunkering as a unifying theme. The rolling property is once again both striking and spacious, and it’s laced with great holes throughout. The use of a split rail fence (which demarks out of bounds) at holes 5-7 provides excellent strategic tension, and holes 15 and 16 (the Cape 16th is one of five new holes created by OCM) are a blockbuster one-two punch."

4. From a non-rater's perspective, it should make for good match-play viewing. Shots will contend with Lake Kadijah, including the tee shot on this week's 12th hole. (The Presidents Cup starts on hole 5 to ensure the traditional closing holes are played.) Holes 1 through 3 have out-of-bounds fencing along the left. There's plenty of sand, a 600-plus-yard par-5, and on Monday afternoon, it was breezy and muddy from recent storms. Expect some interesting play.

5. The twist in the new-look Medinah? One of the designers is International team captain Geoff Ogilvy. His influence might be minimal, but it adds an interesting angle.

6. In a preview by Bradley S. Klein of the PGA Tour, this stood out: "At the suggestion of U.S. Team Captain Snedeker, a 5-foot-wide collar of 1.5-inch intermediate rough was introduced to frame the fairways, with the cut of rough raised to 4 inches, meaning the likelihood of heavy lies and fliers for approach shots following wayward drives. This also suggests Snedeker’s assumption (or hope) that the U.S. Team will drive with more accuracy than the Internationals."

7. Here are five Americans to watch, starting with Jackson Koivun, who was 7 when the Ryder Cup was here in 2012. His college and PGA Tour success is undeniable. How will he handle a national team event? What if he delivers a match- or Cup-winning moment? On Monday, he played a practice round with Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, and Collin Morikawa.

8. Much of the same could be said for Chris Gotterup. On Monday, he played with Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, and Cameron Young. Money also appeared to be on the line.

9. Will Chicagoans cheer for Wyndham Clark, who has faced some heckling this year?

10. How is Collin Morikawa’s back holding up?

11. Scottie Scheffler belongs on every watch list. He's the world No. 1, with Ryder Cup records of 3-6-3 and Presidents Cup records of 3-5-1.

12. Five International players to watch: There will be a Si Woo Kim moment this week. Likely multiple moments and wins.

13. The same applies to Tom Kim, who has made his name in this event.

14. I'm watching how Ryan Fox, son of a former rugby player, handles an opposing crowd.

15. How many more Presidents Cups will Adam Scott play? At 46, this is his 12th appearance. Will he become a playing captain soon?

16. A few weeks ago, Sungjae Im sent Justin Thomas one of his "Him Sunjae" sweaters. This pairing is a must for Sunday singles.

17. President Donald Trump is expected to be at Medinah this week.

18. So, who wins? It's hard to bet against the Americans. Young will be the American MVP, and Nick Taylor will be the International team's MVP.

Here's what some colleagues said when asked what the Internationals need to win:

Dylan Dethier: "On paper, it looks as lopsided as ever—perhaps even more so than usual. But this event does have a habit of getting slightly closer than you’d expect, at least until late on Sunday. It would be awesome for the Internationals to contend; their blueprint for getting there is channeling the energy of Si Woo and Tom Kim plus the unpredictable nature of match play. Look, they have plenty of good golfers too; why not Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama and Co.? I dunno. I’m hoping desperately for a fun Sunday finish."

Josh Schrock: "They need their top players—Hideki, Si Woo, Tom Kim and Adam Scott—to be a firewall and then hope that the match play variance works in their favor in singles. If their big names get beat up, they don’t have a chance."

Zephyr Melton: "They need… a miracle? Only kidding (kind of). But without the talent they lost to LIV, along with being without stalwart Jason Day, I just don’t see a path to victory for the Internationals."

19. One more thing! Here's how to watch:

Thursday, September 24: 12:30-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Friday, September 25: 2-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Saturday, September 26: 8-9 a.m. ET (Golf Channel); 9 a.m.-7 p.m. ET (NBC)

Sunday, September 27: 12-6 p.m. ET (NBC)