As captain of the Internationals in the upcoming Presidents Cup, Trevor Immelman is well aware his charges have a steep hill to climb to victory.
The size of Mount Everest, if you will.
Immelman knows the team’s record in the biennial event is 1-11-1 and it hasn’t won in nearly a quarter century. He saw the USA’s youthful brigade dismantle Europe in the 2021 Ryder Cup. And the Internationals are playing on foreign soil at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina; the team has never won an away match.
But Immelman has conquered seemingly insurmountable odds before, especially when getting the best of the Goliath known as Tiger Woods in the 2008 Masters. He knows his team won’t shy away from the challenge, but instead brace it.
“When you grow up outside of America, your dream is to play on the biggest stage in the majors and on the PGA Tour. And all you ever hoped for is that opportunity to compete against the best,” Immelman said in a recent interview. “That’s your dream. That’s what keeps you inspired. That’s what makes you fight.
“That’s what makes you tough as an international player, and these guys will have the opportunity to compete on American soil against maybe the best team ever assembled in the American team.
“You don’t need much more motivation than that.”
In a recent Q&A with Golfweek, Immelman touched on his short-changed International team due to LIV Golf, his second act as Sir Nick Faldo’s replacement as lead analyst for CBS, and that magical week in Augusta, Georgia, when he took down Tiger to win the green jacket.