Presidents Cup Format 2013: Highlighting Schedule and Procedure for Team Event

The Presidents Cup doesn't pack the same drama as the Ryder Cup, but for my money, this biennial event is still one of the most enjoyable events on the golf calendar.

Sure, the international side (comprised of players outside of Europe and America) has won just once since it began in 1994, but it is always great drama to see athletes battling for national pride, and I love seeing golfers work in a team atmosphere. 

While the setup is essentially same to the Ryder Cup, with the Americans battling an international team with 12 golfers per side, there are differences in the format. 

Take a look at the schedule and rosters for this event, and then I'll break down how all the excitement will all play out.  

2013 Presidents Cup Format

Team International: Adam Scott, Jason Day, Charl Schwartzel, Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Richard Sterne, Hideki Matsuyama, Graham DeLaet, Angel Cabrera, Marc Leishman, Brendon de Jonge.

Team USA: Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Bill Haas, Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker, Zach Johnson, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth.

2013 Presidents Cup Format

Information via PresidentsCup.com.

Day 1 (Thursday): Six four-ball matches (all 12 players from each side play)

Day 2 (Friday): Six foursome matches (all 12 players from each side play)

Day 3, Morning Session (Saturday): Five four-ball matches (10 of 12 players)

Day 3, Afternoon Session (Saturday): Five foursome matches (10 of 12 players)

Day 4 (Sunday): 12 singles matches

Note: Each match is worth one point each

Full Breakdown of Format

For starters, everything in this contest happens in match play. If a player wins, a point goes to his team. If it's a tie, each side is awarded 0.5 points. Only in singles matches will contests go to extra holes to avoid a tie. 

Day 1 of this event calls for all 12 players to jump into action with four-ball. In this setting, two teammates play separately to get one score. So, each golfer plays his ball just like they would in individual play. However, at the end of the hole, the lowest score of the two teammates is used. 

The fact that all 12 golfers go out for this action is not the best thing for the international side. Depth is clearly on the Americans' side, and again, all 12 golfers are in action in the second day. 

Day 2 has our golfers locked in foursome play. Foursome play is fairly straightforward. Two golfers will play as one. So, two teammates will hit alternate shots to complete their round while going against a twosome from the opposing team.

Onto a busy Saturday. There are two sessions on Saturday with 10-of-12 golfers participating in each. The morning is foursome play and the afternoon four-ball. This is where the captains really must be on the ball. They have to determine who to sit, who to pair together and see if anyone needs a rest before singles play. 

As for Sunday, it is straightforward one-on-one match play. Hopefully the competition will be close enough this year for Sunday to be packed with drama.