1998

The 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne remains the International Team's crowning achievement and lone outright victory. Captained by Peter Thomson, the Internationals utilized their home-field advantage on the firm, fast Sandbelt greens to dismantle a powerful American team. The conditions neutralized the U.S. distance advantage, rewarding precision and creativity—skills the International squad possessed in abundance. The star of the week was Japan's Shigeki Maruyama, the "Smiling Assassin," who went a perfect 5-0-0, electrifying the crowds with his clutch putting and infectious energy. The Internationals built an insurmountable lead, winning the Foursomes and Four-ball sessions convincingly. By the time Sunday arrived, the result was all but a formality. They defeated the U.S. 20.5-11.5, a rout that shocked the golf world and validated the Presidents Cup as a true competitive rival to the Ryder Cup. It proved that when conditions, strategy, and team chemistry align, the International Team could not only beat the Americans but dominate them. It remains the benchmark for all future International squads.