When it comes to team events, players can provide a key role in their sides success and, often, if a player goes undefeated, it can be the difference between winning and losing.
However, the likelihood of a player going undefeated is very slim. For example, in the Ryder Cup, just five players have gone 5-0-0 (wins, losses, ties), those are Arnold Palmer, Gardner Dickinson, Larry Nelson, Francesco Molinari and Dustin Johnson. In the Solheim Cup, it’s just one individual who has managed the feat, with Caroline Hedwall the only player to ever secure five wins at a sole Solheim Cup.
So, what about the Presidents Cup? Well, first played in 1994, the 2024 Presidents Cup will be the 15th between the US Team and International Team and, during that time, just six players have ever gone 5-0-0. Here, we take a look at who they are…
Mark O’Meara – 1996
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In the first edition of the Presidents Cup, Fred Couples and Davis Love III went undefeated with 3-0-0 and 4-0-1 records, which handed the US a 20-12 victory. Two years later, David Duval went 4-0-0 but fellow countryman, Mark O’Meara, went one better, as he became the first player to go 5-0-0 in a Presidents Cup.
Playing alongside Duval for the first three sessions, the pair claimed 3&2, 2&1 and 4&3 wins, whilst O’Meara won the afternoon foursomes 1-up alongside Scott Hoch. In the singles, the American defeated Nick Price 1-up to go 5-0-0 for the week, with his blemish free record helping the US side to a tight 16.5-15.5 win.
Shigeki Maruyama – 1998
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In 1998 the International Team won their first, and currently only, Presidents Cup, with Shigeki Maruyama playing a key part in their victory. Making his debut in the tournament, the rookie won 3&2 alongside Craig Parry in Thursday’s morning foursomes, before Maruyama paired up with fellow countryman, Naomichi Ozaki, in the afternoon to claim a 4&3 victory.
On Friday, Maruyama was in the same pairings as Thursday and, for both sessions, he won in tight affairs as both games finished 1-up. Facing off against US’ John Huston in the Sunday singles, the 29-year-old won 3&2 to cap off a memorable performance.
After his 5-0-0 run, the Japanese star would only play one more Presidents Cup in 2000, where he had one win and two losses. For…
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