The Sketchers World Champions Cup is a bit of a blend of the Ryder Cup and The Presidents Cup, but a whole lot less serious. Don’t get me wrong, the teams want to win but they also want to have fun, and at their age they still have plenty of game, and it is entertaining, both in person and on television.
World Golf Hall of Famer Bernhard Langer and Vice Captain Soren Kjeldsen led the way with 12 points each in afternoon singles matches last Sunday as Team Europe rolled to victory.
The Europeans also got 10.5 points from Hall of Famer Colin Montgomerie, and their 230 points gave them a decisive victory over Team International (213.5) and Team USA (204.5). All the while, the Europeans seemed to be having a party as they were exuberant and displayed comradery throughout the matches, even in the pouring rain on Sunday.
The morning singles session saw Team Europe make its biggest move, as Alex Cejka and Thomas Bjorn led the way with 12.5 points each, and team Captain Darren Clarke contributed 11.5, with Montgomerie scoring 10.5.
“This week we all got together with all of us, the players, the wives, the caddies and everything, and our way in Europe is, when we get into a team, there’s no egos, there’s no nothing,” team Captain Darron Clarke said. “I know we’ve got two Hall of Famers in our group and on our team, but nobody’s bigger than anyone else, and we all pull for each other and play for each other.”
Team USA’s Jason Caron, earned the most points throughout the tournament, with 60.5. Caron is a PGA Head Golf Professional from Oyster Bay, New York who last played regularly on the PGA Tour more than 20 years ago and has experienced a career revival on the PGA Tour Champions circuit the last two years.
Skechers World Champions Cup is confirmed to return to the Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater, Florida, in 2026. The event will take place from November 30 to December 6, 2026.
Meanwhile, Rasmus Neergaad-Petersen rolled in a clutch putt on 18 to win the 2025 Australian Open and an invitation to the Masters in 2026. Neergaad-Peterson defeated Cam Smith by one stroke to take the championship. Smith uncharacteristically missed a five-footer to force a playoff.
Finally, in a busy week of golf around the world, Hideki Matsuyama defeated Alex Noren in a one-hole playoff to win Tiger’s event at Alban Golf Club in the Bahamas-the Hero World Challenge.
Enjoy the Holiday’s and we’ll be back next Tuesday with Tuesday Tee Time on RegistryTampaBay.com.
