The Presidents Cup will provide a welcome respite this week, at a time in Golf when money has never been so relevant.
This edition will see a much depleted - but still very strong - American team face off against an even more weakened International team.
It is a bit like a Cup final minus the star team. It is not what you expected it to be or who you expected to be there, but the occasion can still create some exciting moments.
History shows that the American team have had too much for the visitors but maybe, with the year and season that is in it, form will go out the window.
As ever with the International team, it is a melting pot of talent and you are trying to harness a team environment. Trevor Immelman has a huge task on his hands to inspire greatness.
Davis Love III is the home captain and even with the defections, he has a loaded team with a great mix. I’m not sure that Ryder Cup lessons can be applied here, given the gulf between both teams.
Team USA last year was loaded from back to front. Scary stat: the current world number 1 was their 12th man.
The unique situation in Wisconsin was that the favourites performed like they were underdogs. That's an unbeatable mix.
While lacking in history, the Presidents Cup has always been an enjoyable watch for me.
The challenge is for the international team to blend and create chemistry. They have to try to stay in the tournament as all too often the slow start has made it impossible to catch up.
Yes, it is impossible to replace some of the stars that have defected to LIV Golf. In terms of the International team, it's very tough as a team South Africa and a Team Australia within its confines normally instills some solidarity.
Cameron Smith who would have been their talisman but has chosen self-interest and the loot and the reality is that Adam Scott is flying the flag for 'the good guys', as Shane Lowry would say.
I hope that promising new players can embrace the battle this week but home advantage proved decisive in Whistling Straits and it probably will this week too at Quail Hollow.
But for the times we're living in, maybe a Cinderella story would be welcome.
BOB'S BOUNCE FOR EUROPE
It never ceases to amaze me how players get a bounce - who gets it, and where they get it from, generally comes from their peers.
In Ireland, Padraig Harrington started the major winning run. It culminated in four different players reaching their Everest.
Sport can be about many different things. But the energy you get from seeing one of your pals achieve is more powerful than most statistics can predict.
The Ryder Cup is just a year away and Europe in the current environment is crying out for fresh talent. With his Italian Open win, Bob McIntyre may have paved the way for others to make the breakthrough.
McIntyre's victory has catapulted his name into the Team Europe selection mix.
It was his second win on tour but it was against a strong top end field, and to beat Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off at next year’s Ryder Cup venue is great for any CV.
I said in my preview that it doesn’t guarantee anything but a fast start, adding that being a winner at the venue can do no harm to your prospects.
Much has been expected from McIntyre and, to be honest, he had flattered to deceive at the top level. But perhaps this is his breakout moment.
Golf is such a fickle sport and it's hard to make predictions about where this may lead for him, but there can be no doubt this is a big win.
And so back to the Harrington bounce. The Italian, Filippo Celli, made his professional debut in his national open fresh from winning the World Team Amateur Championship.
This added to his silver medal as leading amateur at the Open in St Andrews. He actually did very well to make the cut last weekend and earn his first professional cheque.
Ewen Ferguson has won twice this season and would have done so for a third time but for an inspiring Olli Wilson in Denmark.
Ferguson is one of the potential new faces for Luke Donald to consider.
For the likes of Ferguson, Jordan Smith and the Højgaard twins, Macintyre is a contemporary.
And, with the new arrangement with the PGA Tour, we will see the top 10 on the DP World Tour gain status and get up the world rankings. That is the best avenue for them to make Ryder Cup qualification progress.
LEONA HOMECOMING
It is marvellous to see Leona Maguire home for the KPMG Women's Irish Open.
Dromoland Castle will provide a stunning setting. I was fortunate enough to play the course last year for the first time and I was extremely surprised.
It was a wonderful setting and a great test of golf with a great routing. Well worth a visit.
It obviously will be a great homecoming. Leona is the star on show and her commitment to make this tournament cannot be under-estimated as it comes right in the middle of a busy LPGA schedule.
I hope this will also be the start of the tournament building and KPMG have really stepped up with substantial backing.
The LET needs new tournaments to help grow the Tour again after Covid almost made it extinct and due to mis-management over recent years.
Leona will need her best stuff to prevail and that would be the perfect start to building this event going forward.
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