Internationals have bonded

Sydney – Louis Oosthuizen (below) yesterday said the International team that will tee off at the Presidents Cup next week are “like 12 brothers” who have a real shot at ending the United States’ dominance of the event.

The South African 2010 British Open champion will be competing in his fourth edition of the biennial match play showdown, heading to Royal Melbourne as one of the more experienced campaigners.

Skipper Ernie Els has seven rookies in his 12-man team that will face a powerful US outfit led by playing captain Tiger Woods, but Oosthuizen said they are up for the challenge.

“It’s a very unique set up, the President’s Cup,” he said in Sydney ahead of the Australian Open this week, where a handful of the International team are playing, including Adam Scott, Mark Leishman and Els.

“Everyone always says that we don’t have team spirit or don’t have enough.

“I can promise you, when Thursday (next week) comes, we’re like 12 brothers in that team. We’ve bonded, we’re ready to go, we want to win, we’ve got the same energy and just want to get the tournament done.”

Oosthuizen likened the Presidents Cup camaraderie to the Ryder Cup, played between Europe and the US, and said it was essential to muster that type of team spirit. “I think the history with the Ryder Cup, there is a lot more in there, and that’s why you always see the guys a little bit more pumped and we need that,” he said.

“We need that in the President’s Cup. I think the only way to get that is if the Internationals win.

“We need to get our name on the trophy again and show the Americans we’re here to play, and not just show up to just have a good week.”

The Internationals have won only once in the event’s 25-year history, –