The outcome of the Presidents Cup was never really in doubt.

But something about the event was riveting.

“I found myself locked in and I think a lot of it was because team match play and just match play in general is so vastly superior in terms of a television product to 72 holes of individual stroke play,” said Andy Johnson, host of The Fried Egg podcast.

Despite the American side dominating the International team three out of the four days, the passion at the event was well known. The usually mild-mannered Scottie Scheffler yelled at Tom Kim during a match. Si Woo Kim did Steph Curry’s “Night Night” celebration during a match. Even though he did it before the match was over, it was still entertaining.

And why all the emotion? It was match play.

“In match play, you see aggression, aggression is rewarded, aggression is penalized,” Johnson said. “It breeds more storylines. It breeds more action.”

That’s why it needs to become a bigger part of the professional golf scene. Not just a once-a-year moment like the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Presidents Cup.

As top golfers come up as amateurs, match play decides the most important tournaments they play in. The U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, men’s and women’s U.S. Mid-Am, and several other events use match play. There is even match play at your local club.

“Once you get in, it’s match play,” 2012 U.S. Amateur Steven Fox told The Denver Gazette. “You just need one of the 64 spots. You go up against one golfer. That’s all.”

The LPGA has an annual match play event that was won by Nelly Korda this season. And it plays the Solheim Cup every two years which has provided plenty of drama.

The PGA Tour’s match-play event ended in 2023 after being an annual fixture since 1999. There were some upsets in the event, such as Kevin Sutherland and Jeff Maggert, but Tiger Woods, who won it three times, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have taken home the title.

So why didn’t the PGA Tour keep their annual event?

“The answer is TV,” golf media personality Shane Bacon said on The Fried Egg Podcast. “There is a fear of a bad final. That fear has taken away a format that everybody plays.

“Every club championship for the most part across the country ends in match play.”

No match play event is scheduled for 2025 and beyond on the PGA Tour. If a deal is struck between the PGA and LIV, could a match play return? That remains to be seen.

***

CSU Rams rally past CU Buffs at Mark Simpson Invitational

Colorado State stole Colorado’s thunder at the Buffs’ own tournament this week at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie.

The Rams, who were in third place coming into the final round on Tuesday of the Mark Simpson Invitational, caught fire with a score of 18-under to pass the Buffs and win by four strokes.

It was the first time Colorado State has won the Mark Simpson Invitational and the Rams’ 828 final tally is tied for the second-lowest score of the 14th annual tournament. Both Ralf Kivi and Christoph Bleier led CSU, signing cards of 10-under for fifth place.

The Buffs, although disappointed by the second-place finish, had a strong showing at their home tournament. Eight Buffs finished under par. Justin Biwer tied St. Mary’s standout Aidan Lee and UTEP’s Dylan Teeter for the top individual spot at the tournament at 13-under. It was Biwer’s first collegiate win.

“We kept battling all day. It just seemed like we could never get anything going,” CU coach Roy Edwards said in a press release. “The guys always do a good job those times when we are not starting out their best to keep competing and finding their way throughout the rounds. But today we just didn’t have a hot streak. I thought when we were about four or five shots down with three or four holes to play, it was effectively a tie based on the holes we had left, but we just weren’t able to capitalize.”

It was the Rams’ third tournament win of the season.

***

Colorado Christian keeps breaking records

Division II’s defending national champions are not slowing down. The Colorado Christian men’s team won the WWU Invitational in Bellingham, Wash. The victory was the Cougars’ third straight win to start the season.

This is the first time in program history the team has won three straight tournaments. The Cougars won the tournament by 26 strokes.

Xavier Bighaus won the individual title as well. He became the third Colorado Christian golfer to win an individual title this season.

***

What they’re saying

“All of our 12 guys can compete. My goal was just to set the tone, get red up on that board as early as possible, and I was able to do that.”

—Xander Schauffele on going out first in singles at the Presidents Cup

***

Skins game

Odds to win Sanderson Farms Championship

Seamus Power +2200

Nick Dunlap +2200

Keith Mitchell +2300

Maverick McNealy + 2500

Mackenzie Hughes +2500

Jhonathan Vegas +3000

***

This week in golf

SANDERSON FARMS CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: Jackson, Miss.

Course: The Country Club of Jackson. Yardage: 7,461. Par: 72.

Prize money: $7.6 million. Winner’s share: $1,368,000.

Television: Thursday-Saturday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Defending champion: Luke List.

European Tour

DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: St. Andrews, Scotland.

Courses: Old Course at St. Andrews (Yardage: 7,318. Par: 72.), Carnoustie GL (Yardage: 7,394. Par: 72.), Kingsbarns GC (Yardage: 7,227. Par: 72.)

Prize money: $5 million. Winner’s share: $833,333.

Television: Thursday-Saturday, 5-10 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 4:30-10 a.m.

Defending champion: Matt Fitzpatrick.

PGA Tour Champions

CONSTELLATION FURYK & FRIENDS

Site: Jacksonville, Fla.

Course: Timuquana CC. Yardage: 7,005. Par: 72.

Prize money: $2.1 million. Winner’s share: $315,000.

Television: Friday-Saturday, Noon-2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, Noon-2 p.m. (NBC Sports App), 5-7 p.m. (Golf-Tape Delay).

Defending champion: Brett Quigley.

Korn Ferry Tour

KORN FERRY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: French Lick, Ind.

Course: French Lick Golf Resort (Dye Course). Yardage: 7,667. Par: 72.

Prize money: $1.5 million. Winner’s share: $270,000.

Television: Thursday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Golf); Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-Noon  (Golf), Noon-2 p.m. (NBC Sports app); Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Golf).

Previous winner: Paul Barjon.