Global game: New York serves as perfect Presidents Cup site

NEW YORK -- It has inspired songs and been the subject of classic works of literature and theater. Now, New York will be the site of a different sort of drama.

The Presidents Cup is coming to the Big Apple for the first time, and there may not be a more appropriate site for the biennial competition between the U.S. and International teams. This should be a landmark year for event, as golf’s global team competition is being played in the shadow of a city that some have coined the "Capital of the World."

New York, as one of the world’s great financial and commercial centers, attracts a diverse population that descends upon the metropolis in search of opportunity. Wall Street, home to the world's largest stock exchange, One World Trade and the United Nations headquarters are just some of the sites that testify to the city's international influence.

While some come to New York in search of a new life, tourists from around the globe visit New York to see the world-class culture and arts, as well as attractions like Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square and Rockafeller Center.

And, of course, the Statue of Liberty stands gallantly in New York Harbor, beckoning the world’s population to the five boroughs. Lady Liberty is easily visible from the host site of this year’s Presidents Cup, Liberty National Golf Club, serving as a constant reminder that the world’s greatest golfers are competing in the shadow of one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.

This week, players and fans from several continents will convene in the New York area to witness the Presidents Cup. The event began in 1994 to showcase the best talent from all corners of the globe. The International Team comprises all players from outside the United States and Europe, drawing its members from South America, Australia, Africa and Asia.

The Internationals will be the “road” team this year, but there’s a good chance that New York's diversity will help the visitors feel right at home.

At the end of the 20th century, it was estimated that some 200 national groups were counted among New York City’s citizens, and hundreds of languages can be heard in the city; half of all New Yorkers speak a language other than English at home. The diversity of New York’s 8 million citizens can be seen on every corner, but the city also is known for ethnic enclaves like Little India and Chinatown. In New York, it isn’t hard to find cultural celebrations on almost any week of the calendar, either.

More than 3 million of New York City’s citizens were born in another country and more than 25 percent arrived in the United States in 2000 or later, according to statistics from the New York City Department of City Planning.

The city, like the International Team, is the ultimate melting pot.

PGATOUR.COM Photo Editor Keyur Khamar recently took to New York's streets to showcase its international flavor and illustrate why the city is the perfect host for the Presidents Cup.

Beginning with Greg Norman, the Australians have been a consistent core for the International Team. If Jason Day, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman want to spend their early mornings this weekend watching two of Australia’s biggest sporting events, the Grand Final of both the Australian Football League and National Rugby League, they’d be hard-pressed to find a better pub than The Australian on 38th street. The bar’s menu includes grilled kangaroo skewers, Australian meat pies and a Down Under twist on nachos.

And, undoubtedly, The Australian’s TVs will be tuned to the Presidents Cup during the day, as the latest generation of Australian golfing greats try to defeat the United States for the first time since 1998 in Royal Melbourne.

New York's Asian-American population grew by 110 percent from 1990 to 2010, according to Census data. Asian-Americans now comprise approximately 13 percent of the city’s population. This population includes representatives from more than 20 countries and 45 languages and dialects.

Asia will be well-represented at the Presidents Cup. The continent will have three players from three different countries on the team: Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, South Korea’s Si Woo Kim and India’s Anirban Lahiri.

Matsuyama, who's 25 years old and already making his third Presidents Cup appearance, was the team's leading qualifier after winning three times this season and finishing in the top 15 in all four majors.

Lahiri, 30, is the first player from India to play in the Presidents Cup. This will be his second appearance in the event after Nick Price made him a Captain's Pick for this year's team. Price's selection gave Lahiri the opportunity for redemption after going 0-3 in the 2015 Presidents Cup in South Korea.

A successful week from Lahiri would give New York's large Indian population plenty to cheer about. More than 2 million Indian immigrants resided in the United States as of 2015, making them the second-largest foreign-born population in the country. The United States is the third-most popular destination for Indian migrants worldwide. New York and New Jersey were two of the most popular states for Indian immigrants arriving in the United States between 2011 and 2015.

The Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan is affectionately known as "Curry Hill" because of its large Indian population and the restaurants and culture located there.

Lahiri finished a career-best 51st in the FedExCup this season, including a runner-up finish at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide and a T9 in his most recent start, the BMW Championship.

The International Team also will draw from North America, South America and Africa. Canada's Adam Hadwin, Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas and Argetina's Emiliano Grillo are all making their debut this year; Vegas is the first Venezuelan to play in the event.

South Africa is traditionally well-represented at the Presidents Cup and this year is no different, as Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel all are back on the roster.

On every corner in New York, there's an opportunity to experience the culture of another country. And every match at the Presidents Cup allows fans to see the best players from a variety of continents. Five of the world's seven continents will be represented this week at Liberty National.

Golf is truly a global game. And New York is a global city.