Sports

The Presidents Cup: Team Members and Their Watches

Typically, golf is an individual sport. But every two years, top golfers from around the world come together for The Presidents Cup and play for the good of the team. The tournament started in 1994, and although it’s certainly not one of golf’s longest standing competitions, it is one that showcases the best of the best.

Over the course of its 20-plus year run, the United States Team dominated The Presidents Cup. They’ve won nine of the eleven events. Will this be the year the International Team breaks their winning streak? Only time will tell.
Time is one thing the United States and international players have in common. Telling time that is. The golfers at the Presidents Cup will certainly be playing in style – they all seem to have an affinity for fine wristwatches.

This comes as no surprise – the golf world and watch industry have a longstanding history together. In fact, Rolex is one of the global partners of the Presidents Cup. But Rolex won’t be the only watch brand with a presence at the competition. They’re only one of three watch industry veterans you can expect to see on the wrists of the players.

While the players on the United States Team and International Team are respectively united in sport, they’re divided when it comes to their brand loyalty. Regardless of the country they’re playing for, check out which golfers will be representing team Rolex, team Hublot, and team Audemars Piguet at the upcoming Presidents Cup.

Team Rolex

Jordan Spieth, United States
At the age of 24, Jordan Spieth has already won three majors and scored a partnership with Rolex. He first caught the attention of the brand back in 2009 at the Junior PGA Championship when he was named the Rolex Junior Player of the Year. Now, he’s one of the elite members of Rolex’s New Guard, a group of prodigious players who represent the next generation of top golfers. So far, Spieth’s collection includes an Explorer II and a Daytona.

Justin Thomas, United States
Justin Thomas won his first major earlier this year, and he’s just getting started. This young player has already caught the eye of Rolex. They have partnered with him as one of their up and coming New Guards for his inspiring athleticism. With that, his watch collection has started to grow. He’s got a Yacht-Master 40 and Cosmograph Daytona to see him through to his next major.

Rickie Fowler, United States
Rickie Fowler has been making a name for himself in the golf world since his 37-week reign as the number one amateur golfer in the world in 2007 and 2008. Since then, the PGA tour veteran has become a powerhouse in the game. As an authority on the sport, Rolex pursued him to join their rank of New Guards. The partnership comes as no surprise – Fowler has a pretty impressive watch collection, including a Datejust, three Milgausses, two Submariners, a Deep Sea, and a Daytona.

Brooks Koepka, United States
This year, Brooks Koepka also scored his first major win. Unlike most American golfers, Koepka started his career on the European Challenge Tour and later the European Tour before joining the PGA Tour. Perhaps his experience abroad will give him an edge over his international counterparts at the Presidents Cup. No matter what the outcome of this year’s competition, you can find Koepka representing the Rolex New Guard in his Daytona.

Phil Mickelson, United States
Whether you’re a diehard golf devotee or a more casual fan, you know Phil Mickelson. He’s been a household name for nearly fifteen years. Mickelson is also known for his longstanding relationship with Rolex. Unlike most golfers who only sport their watch off the course, Mickelson is famous for playing in his Cellini Danaos.

Hideki Matsuyama, International
Hideki Matsuyama is currently the number two golfer in the world. He’s a five-time PGA Tour winner and was the runner up at this year’s U.S. Open. At the age of 25, Matsuyama’s quick rise to the top has garnered attention from powerhouse brands, like Rolex. As part of the brand’s New Guard, you’ll find him showing off a Submariner at this year’s Presidents Cup.

Jason Day, International
Jason Day has been shattering records in the game since the early years of his professional career. In 2015, he won his first major at the PGA Championship, scoring a record twenty strokes under par. Just a year later, he joined Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy as one of the only multiple winners of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Day is also one of the Rolex New Guards, and enjoys wearing a Deepsea Sea-Dweller.

Adam Scott, International
At the age of 37, Adam Scott is no stranger to the world of golf. Over his fifteen-plus year career, he has 29 professional wins from tournaments around the world. Most notably, he became the first Australian to win the Masters Tournament in 2013. Throughout the years, Scott has also developed a bit of a watch collection, including a Deepsea Sea-Dweller, Milgauss, and Sky Dweller.

Team Hublot

Dustin Johnson, United States
Dustin Johnson needs no introduction. He’s currently the number one ranked golfer in the world. Johnson scored a big win earlier this year at the Genesis Open, making him the third player in Tour history to win a Tour title in each of his first ten seasons and placing him among the ranks of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. He’s the first player to win each of the four World Golf Championship events, and he has five total World Golf Championship victories, only second to Tiger Woods. His bold efforts in the game are equally matched by a bold watch: the Big Bang Unico.

Patrick Reed, United States
Patrick “Captain America” Reed, is proudly serving on the United States Team at this year’s Presidents Cup. The competitive and patriotic athlete has made a name for himself with his 2014 win at the WGC-Cadillac Championship – the youngest player to do so – and his impressive performances at the 2014 and 2016 Ryder Cups. Reed is only the fifth player to win three PGA Tour titles before his 24th birthday. It’s clear he’s destined for greatness, and Hublot has taken note. This year, he became an ambassador for the brand, sporting a Big Bang Unico Titanium.

Team Audemars Piguet

Louis Oosthuizen, International
Louis Oosthuizen solidified his place in the golf world in 2010 with his first major win at the Open Championship. Following his ranking as the number four golfer in the world in 2013, Oosthuizen was tapped by Audemars Piguet to join their “Dream Team” of ambassadors.

Branden Grace, International
Branden Grace first entered the spotlight in 2012 when he became the first player in the history of the European Tour to win his first four European Tour titles in the same year. Earlier this year, he made history again at the Open Championship when he became the first to record a sub-63 score in a major. Despite his wins early in his career, Grace didn’t join Audemars Piguet as an ambassador until 2016. Today, you can find him wearing a Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph.

Emiliano Grillo, International
Emiliano Grillo began his professional career in 2011 and scored his first major win in 2015 at the Frys Open on the PGA Tour. The next year, he was named Rookie of the Year. As Grillo began to rise to the top Audemars Piguet took notice and invited him to join their “Dream Team” of ambassadors.

Caitlyn Bazemore

Caitlyn is the founder of Grey Ghost, a New York City-based boutique content marketing agency with a passion for artists, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups. She believes in quality over quantity, creative thinking, and, above all, using language as powerful tool to build lasting connections.

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