In order to prevent a repeat of the drawn contest in 2003, where darkness brought a play-off between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els to an end after three tied holes, changes had to be made to the format of the Presidents Cup.

Beginning with the next tournament in 2005, all doubles matches played Thursday through Saturday could now end in a tie.

However, on the Sunday all singles matches ending in a tie at the end of the regulation 18 holes would be extended to extra holes, until that match is won outright, and all singles matches would continue in such a way until one team reach the required 17.5 point total and win the Cup. Subsequent remaining matches may then end in a tie.

Both contests since those changes have resulted in victories for the US side, meaning that they have lost the Presidents Cup only once in the seven times it has been contested.

In 2005 the US side won 18 1/2-15 1/2, with Chris DiMarco taking a starring role as he won four and a half of his five possible points, having formed a fearsome doubles partnership with Phil Mickelson. For the defeated side, South African Retief Goosen did best, winning four of his five matches, including three successes paired with Australian Adam Scott.

In 2007 the Presidents Cup moved north to Canada, but the result was pretty much the same, with the US side winning 19 1/2-14 1/2, although the result looked likely to be a great deal more emphatic at the end of the initial foursomes when the US moved into a quick 5 1/2-1/2 lead.

The experienced Scott Verplank, making just his second appearance in the competition, was unbeaten in four matches for the US side, for which Jack Nicklaus was non-playing captain.