These discussions about how the US Pros are losing ground in international matchplay events always seem to degenerate into exchanges of cheap shots and jingoism. But I read an interesting idea in Golf World yesterday that might be fun to discuss (and maybe the cheap shots will be directed at someone other than the poor US Pros).

I'd love to see a match like the Ryder or President's Cup where the European Ryder Cup team plays the International side from the President's Cup. It would be interesting to see who would come out on top, and it would "close the circle," so to speak, as to who are currently the best golfers in the world. It seems like the discussions here always center on US vs. Euros as to who is best (see the recent string "PGA vs. EPGA -- Which is the best tour?"), leaving out the Aussies, South Africans and Asians.

So, which team do you think would win as between the Euros and Internationals? I'd be rooting for the Internationals, and based on their showing in the WGC, it looks like they's have a good chance against the European side.

Or how about Australia vs. USA?
Ogilvy, Scott, Baddely, Allenby, Appleby, O'Hern... pretty formidable line up.

Its a great idea. It would give the US players a year off instead of them playing every year against somebody.

They could call it the Gary Player Cup. Who else epitomizes international travel for golf more than he does.

Euro would win.

If you look at the quality of our players our team is the least of all three, if you look at motivation and team spirit ours is better by light years.

Great idea, I'd be supporting the Europeans but I think that would be a great match; Els, Goosen, and Scott amongst other could provide some great matches.

There'd be very little market for it unfortunately. How would the US networks sell the idea to Average Joe when no American players are in it? I still think it'd be a great competition, but Europe already play against Asia in the Royal Trophy.

Potential teams based on World rankings:

Top 12 Euros
5 Henrik Stenson, Swe
10 Luke Donald, Eng
11 Padraig Harrington, Ire
13 Sergio Garcia, Spn
14 Paul Casey, Eng
18 David Howell, Eng
20 Colin Montgomerie, Sco
21 Jose M Olazabal, Spn
28 Robert Karlsson, Swe
29 Ian Poulter, Eng
36 Justin Rose, Eng
37 Niclas Fasth, Swe


Top 12 Internationals
4 Adam Scott, Aus
6 Ernie Els, SAf
7 Geoff Ogilvy, Aus
8 Retief Goosen, SAf
9 Vijay Singh, Fij
12 Trevor Immelman, SAf
16 Nick O'Hern, Aus
23 Stuart Appleby, Aus
25 Choi Kyung-Ju, Kor
26 Robert Allenby, Aus
30 Shingo Katayama, Jpn
32 Tim Clark, SAf

Two really formidable teams! All 24 players in the top 37 in the world. Fantastic!
Based on ranking, the Internationals would win with 5 players in the top 10, but we all know how Casey, Garcia, Howell and monty perform in the Ryder Cup. I'd be glued by the TV.

/Toby