2024 Presidents Cup Predictions

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a dedicated fan of men’s professional golf. In my previous post, I gave a preview of the upcoming Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal in 2024. And if you’re like me, you enjoy diving into detailed predictions for events like these.

Now, I may not be in line to captain a Presidents Cup team—I’m writing this from my desk, after all—but I’ve put together what I think are some exciting and plausible matchups based on likely pairings. The order of these matches is a bit of a guess, but the goal is for each team to start and end with a strong pairing.

This is all just for fun, so feel free to share your own predictions in the comments or let me know which matchups you’re most excited to see. Enjoy!

THURSDAY FOURBALL

Match 1: Scheffler & Burns vs. Conners & Pendrith

 Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top player and the new USA team leader, is set to make a strong impression. Partnered with his good friend Sam Burns, this duo aims to start the tournament with a bang. Facing them are the Internationals’ Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith, looking to ignite the Canadian crowd. Despite their enthusiasm, Scheffler and Burns overpower their opponents, taking the first point for the USA.

Score: Scheffler & Burns 3 & 1

Match 2: Morikawa & Theegala vs. Matsuyama & Scott 

Next up, the dynamic pairing of Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala takes the stage for Team USA. Their aggressive playstyle is met with Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott from the Internationals. Expect fireworks as Morikawa and Theegala’s relentless birdie hunt proves too much for Matsuyama and Scott, securing a commanding victory.

Score: Morikawa & Theegala 4 & 3

Match 3: Bradley & Finau vs. Day & Lee

In a match where Team USA’s depth is tested, Tony Finau and Keegan Bradley take on the Australian duo of Jason Day and Min Woo Lee. Day and Lee, known for their strong iron play, rise to the occasion, delivering the Internationals their first point with a thrilling performance.

Score: Day & Lee 1 Up

Match 4: Clark & Homa vs. An & Im

Max Homa, paired with Wyndham Clark, looks to build on their previous successes. They face Byeong-Hun An and Sungjae Im, a pairing that blends length and precision. Despite their best efforts, An and Im showcase their prowess, claiming a win with solid play.

Score: An & Im 2 & 1

Match 5: Schauffele & Cantlay vs. Kim & Kim

The final fourball match of the day pits Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay against Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. Schauffele and Cantlay, the premier American pairing, leverage their exceptional chemistry to pull ahead and secure a win, closing the day with a strong finish.

Score: Schauffele & Cantlay 3 & 2

Day 1 Recap: The Americans hold a slim 3-2 lead after the first day, with the Internationals remaining in striking distance. Both teams have laid the groundwork for an exciting contest, setting the stage for a competitive second day.

FRIDAY FOURSOMES

Match 1: Morikawa & Theegala vs. Hughes & Kim

Kicking off the foursomes, the USA’s Morikawa and Theegala look to maintain their momentum. They face Canadian newcomers Mackenzie Hughes and Si Woo Kim. This match is anticipated to be close, ending in a tie as both teams battle fiercely.

Score: Tie

Match 2: Harman & Henley vs. Matsuyama & An

In the second match, Brian Harman and Russell Henley make their Presidents Cup debut. They’ll face Hideki Matsuyama and Ben An, who are poised to capitalize. Matsuyama and An secure a narrow win, giving the Internationals a crucial point.

Score: Matsuyama & An 1 Up

Match 3: Clark & Finau vs. Scott & Lee

Tony Finau and Wyndham Clark team up to take on the Australian duo of Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee. Finau and Clark’s power game overwhelms their opponents, leading them to a confident win and further extending their lead.

Score: Clark & Finau 2 & 1

Match 4: Scheffler & Burns vs. Bezuidenhout & Conners

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns return to action against the pairing of Corey Conners and Christian Bezuidenhout. Despite a challenging start, Scheffler and Burns outmatch their opponents to secure another win for the USA.

Score: Scheffler & Burns 3 & 2

Match 5: Schauffele & Cantlay vs. Kim & Day

 Anchoring the Americans again, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay face Tom Kim and Jason Day. Kim and Day rise to the challenge, delivering an upset win and providing the Internationals with much-needed momentum heading into the weekend.

Score: Kim & Day 1 Up

Day 2 Recap: The USA leads 5.5 - 4.5, maintaining a slim advantage. The Internationals’ strong performance keeps the competition fierce, setting up an electrifying weekend of golf.

SATURDAY MORNING FOURBALL

Saturday morning is pivotal, with both teams aiming to seize the advantage. Here’s how the matches could unfold:

Match 1: Matsuyama & Im vs. Scheffler & Burns

The Internationals open strong with Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im against Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns. Matsuyama and Im dominate with a 4 & 2 win, setting a high bar early in the day.

Score: Matsuyama & Im 4 & 2

Match 2: Schauffele & Cantlay vs. Day & Lee

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, taking on Min Woo Lee and Jason Day, deliver a clutch performance. Cantlay and Schauffele secure a win on the final hole, showcasing their resilience.

Score: Schauffele & Cantlay 1 Up

Match 3: Kim & Kim vs. Morikawa & Theegala

Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala face off against Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. Kim & Kim continue their impressive form, earning a victory and energizing the Canadian crowd.

Score: Kim & Kim 2 & 1

Match 4: Homa & Clark vs. An & Pendrith

Max Homa and Wyndham Clark seek redemption against big hitters Ben An and Taylor Pendrith. Homa and Clark deliver a strong performance, winning 3 & 2 and showing their grit.

Score: Homa & Clark 3 & 2

Saturday Morning Recap: The match is still closely contested at 7.5-6.5. The Internationals have shown their strength, keeping the tournament highly competitive and setting the stage for an exciting afternoon session.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOURSOMES

The afternoon session is crucial for building momentum heading into Sunday.

Match 1: Schauffele & Cantlay vs. Matsuyama & Scott

Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay take on Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott. Despite a strong challenge, Schauffele and Cantlay’s synergy prevails, securing a win for Team USA.

Score: Schauffele & Cantley 3&2

Match 2: Harman & Henley vs. Kim & Bezuidenhout

Brian Harman and Russell Henley face Tom Kim and Christian Bezuidenhout. Harman and Henley’s steady play secures a win, injecting momentum into the American camp.

Score: Harman & Henley 2 & 1

Match 3: Finau & Clark vs. Conners & Im 

Tony Finau and Wyndham Clark face Corey Conners and Sungjae Im. Conners and Im secure the point and Conners finally earns his first Presidents Cup point, keeping the Internationals in the hunt.

Score: Conners & Im 1 Up

Match 4: Scheffler & Burns vs. Kim & Hughes

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns return to action against Si Woo Kim and Mackenzie Hughes. The American pair dominates, adding another point to the USA’s tally.

Score: Scheffler & Burns 4 & 3

Saturday Afternoon Recap: The afternoon session proves pivotal as Team USA extends their lead tA 10.5 – 7.5. With strong momentum heading into Sunday, the Americans look to close out the tournament, while the Internationals have one last chance to mount a comeback.

Sunday Singles: The Showdown for Glory

As the Presidents Cup reaches its zenith, Sunday singles will determine who takes home the trophy. Every match is a high-stakes battle, with the Cup hanging in the balance. Here’s how I envision the action unfolding:

Match 1: Morikawa vs. Day

The Sunday singles kick off with a clash of titans. Collin Morikawa, with his precision and poise, faces off against Jason Day, a seasoned warrior in match play. This is a pivotal opening, setting the tone for the day. Morikawa's consistency will edge out Day, delivering an early victory for the USA.

Score: Morikawa 2 & 1

Match 2: Tony Finau vs. Taylor Pendrith

Mike Weir aims to ignite Canadian pride by sending out Taylor Pendrith early. Rested from the afternoon session, Pendrith will feed off the home crowd’s energy. Despite Finau’s formidable game, Pendrith’s spirited performance will secure his first Presidents Cup point and a critical victory for the Internationals.

Score: Pendrith 1 Up

Match 3: Clark vs. Si Woo Kim

In a fiery encounter, Wyndham Clark battles Si Woo Kim. Both players bring intensity and skill to the table, making this one of the day’s most thrilling matches. They’ll exchange blows with precision and passion, and ultimately, their match will end in a well-fought tie, leaving both teams eager for more.

Score: Tie

Match 4: Theegala vs. Scott

The intensity ramps up with Sahith Theegala taking on Adam Scott. Scott, looking to redeem himself after a challenging week, will bring his best to this match. With his newly reliable putter and determined play, Scott will manage to snag a crucial win for the Internationals.

Score: Scott 1 Up

Match 5: Cantley vs. Tom Kim

A fierce duel ensues as Patrick Cantlay squares off against Tom Kim. Kim’s flair and charisma make him a crowd favorite, but Cantlay’s solid game and strong track record in singles play will prove too much for Kim. Cantlay’s resilience and clutch putting will secure the win for the Americans.

Score: Cantlay 2 & 1

Match 6: Scheffler vs. Hughes

Scottie Scheffler faces Mackenzie Hughes in a clash reminiscent of a past iconic matchup; Woods vs Weir. Hughes, a tenacious grinder, will make it a tough contest, but Scheffler’s impressive form and strategic play will see him through. Scheffler’s dominance ensures another point for Team USA.

Score: Scheffler 3 & 2

Match 7: Schauffele vs. Sungjae Im

Xander Schauffele and Sungjae Im deliver one of the day’s most compelling showdowns. Both are exceptional putters, and this match will be a close, nail-biting affair. Schauffele’s stellar year will give him the edge, allowing him to secure a full point for the Americans.

Score: Schauffele 1 Up

Match 8: Burns vs. Ben An

Burns and Ben An face off in a power-packed duel. Burn, energized by his recent successes, will put up a strong fight, but An gets it done in a tough contest that gives the Internationals a much needed point.

Score: An 2 & 1

Match 9: Harman vs. Lee

A contrast in styles unfolds as Brian Harman competes against Min Woo Lee. Lee’s distance off the tee will prove advantageous, and despite Harman’s steady approach, Lee’s explosive play will clinch the win for the Internationals, adding to their tally.

Score: Lee 2 & 1

Match 10: Homa vs. Matsuyama

In a match full of promise, Max Homa faces Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama, firing on all cylinders, will dominate this encounter. His precision and form will be too much for Homa, but the victory comes too late to change the course of the competition.

Score: Matsuyama 4 & 3

Match 11: Henley vs. Bezuidenhout

Russell Henley and Christian Bezuidenhout bring their similar, steady styles to the course. Henley, making his mark on this stage, will rise to the occasion and deliver a critical win, sealing the Cup for Team USA and ensuring the Americans’ victory.

Score: Henley 3 & 2

Match 12: Bradley vs. Conners

In a match where the Cup’s fate is already decided, Keegan Bradley and Corey Conners face off. With the tension eased, the two will agree to a tie, shaking hands and concluding the tournament on a respectful note.

Score: Tie

Singles Recap: Sunday’s singles promise a thrilling conclusion. While the Internationals are sure to deliver some inspired performances, the USA's depth and steady play could once again tip the scales in their favor. The Americans are likely to extend their reign in the Presidents Cup. As a Canadian, I can’t help but wish for a different outcome, but maybe this prediction will work as a bit of reverse psychology for the international team. The American squad's exceptional performance may very well secure them the Cup, yet the Internationals, full of heart and skill, will undoubtedly push them to their limits. From my couch, I’ll be cheering with hope for a future upset and pride in what is sure to be a spirited competition.

Now, if by some stroke of luck my predictions turn out to be spot-on, the tables below break down each player's matches, records, and total points earned. While I’m not expecting every pick to be perfect, I do have confidence that the players I’ve highlighted with strong performances will be among those who make a big impact at this year's Presidents Cup.

I hope you enjoyed this preview of the Presidents Cup. Personally, I can’t wait for the action to unfold, and I’d love to see a surprise or two along the way. One thing’s for sure—we’re in for a fantastic showcase of golf at Royal Montreal!