The International Team enters the Presidents Cup with a confidence they haven't known since 2024 – and Si Woo Kim knows exactly why. After the last showdown, the squad has grown closer, developed stronger self-belief, and trusts each other implicitly. This is crucial, because while the Internationals still tee off as underdogs, this time they do so with a genuine core of proven top players and a form curve that is strongly trending upwards.
Kim emphasizes that this time, the team stands on the green as 'one unit,' with everyone fighting for each other, not just for themselves. The vibes within the International Team are noticeably different. Top players like Hideki Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Adam Scott, and Ryan Fox are in absolute top form, which further boosts confidence. It's a new era in which the team has finally found its rhythm.
The Match Play Maestro: Si Woo Kim
Si Woo Kim himself is the beacon of this rising team. As the highest-ranked player for the Internationals, he is one of their most important weapons in match play. With an impressive 6-5-0 record in the Presidents Cup, he has consistently shown he can perform under pressure. His current PGA Tour season is going very strong, with several top-10 finishes and exceptional ball-striking, even though a win is still pending.
The Underdog with Bite
Even though predictions still see the U.S. Americans as overwhelming favorites, the mood in the Internationals' camp is more optimistic than it has been in a long time. The team has matured and learned from the experiences of 2024, when they were overrun on the first day before showing a strong response on the second day. This time, they want to carry the momentum from the start and show that the underdog has real bite.
