‘Make it a mixed event’: McGinley calls for Presidents Cup shakeup

Paul McGinley has called for the Presidents Cup to become a “mixed event” to embrace the strength of depth in the women’s game and make the competition more competitive.

Speaking ahead of this year’s Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow, McGinley told Golf Channel he believes such a “radical change” is needed to help grow the game and even out the teams.

“Make it a mixed event.” The former Ryder Cup captain said. “I know it’s a big radical change, but yes, men and women, six on each on each team.”

The call comes amid a Presidents Cup which many believe could become a one-sided affair. Already underdogs, and with only one victory since the competition’s inception in 1994, the International Team have had their task against a star-studded American outfit heightened because of LIV Golf.

Cameron Smith, Louis Oosthuizen, Abraham Ancer and Marc Leishman were all expected to feature for Trevor Immleman’s team, but were subsequently banned from the event following their defection to the breakaway league.

Given the plethora of top international players in the women’s game – six of the top eight in the world would be eligible for selection – McGinley now believes adding female golfers into the event would help “equate the teams” while “growing the game.”

He continued: “I just think with the strength and quality that you have in the ladies game now in the international side, I think that would really equate the teams, and I think that would be a lot of fun.

“You would only go down as far as No 8 in the world to fill the six ladies that would join the international players.”

Jin Young Ko, Minjee Lee, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Atthaya Thitikul, In Gee Chun, Hyo Joo Kim and Nasa Hataoka are all international players currently inside the World Top 10.

In contrast, at World No 17, Hideki Matsuyma is the highest ranked men’s international player competing in the Presidents Cup, with captain’s pick Taylor Pendrith ranked 109.

“We talk about growing the game, we talk about all the ideas that would come with it.” McGinley said. “A couple of people out there think it’s a good idea. I’ve been saying it for a year or two, I think the Presidents Cup is a perfect opportunity for it.”

• RELATED: Presidents Cup standings: Who’s heading to Quail Hollow?
• RELATED: All’s fair in LIV war – but for many of us it’s nothing new