President's Cup Preview

The President’s Cup begins tomorrow featuring 12 American golfers against 12 International golfers. The top ten on each squad qualified over the last two years, with the remaining two players earning “captain’s picks.” Full rosters for the event can be found online.

Group play begins Thursday and lasts through Saturday. Singles matches take place on Sunday. Whichever team earns the most points wins. Today we’ll preview the event by answering a 12-pack of questions:

If any, which player isn't here that should be (got snubbed on a captain’s pick)?

Greg – As for the US, an argument could be made for Dustin Johnson or Bubba Watson, but I do not really feel that anyone was snubbed. The US's best 12 players are here. Similar for the Internationals… Arguments for KJ Choi and Y.E. Yang could be made as they would be better captains picks than Brendan De Jonge and Marc Leishman in my opinion. Don't think you can say anyone was "snubbed" though.

Andrew – I’m fine with both sides actually. The only “snub” that could be argued is Jim Furyk for the USA. He has been playing great recently and was 12^th on the standings for qualification. He also has a lot of experience in these events. But Webb was 11^th and Jordan Spieth had more points this year and was playing potentially better. So I’m in agreement with the captain’s selections.

International Breakout Player

Greg - Graham DeLaet. Most experts are picking Hideki Matsuyama and they could be right, but DeLaet had a strong finish to the PGA tour season and I think he has a good week.

Andrew – I also love DeLaet, but I’ll go with Matsuyama. People don’t know much about him but he is a solid player that showed up in some big events late in the year.

USA Breakout Player

Greg - Can any of these guys break out? They are all very established players. I'm going to say Hunter Mahan because he has the most to prove. He will have the biggest chip on his shoulder and could go undefeated.

Andrew – At last year’s Ryder Cup it was Keegan Bradley that broke out. This year I’ll go with Jordan Spieth. We all know about him already, but this is his first team competition. I think he has the right makeup to play well and will prove he deserved a captain’s pick.

International MVP

Greg - Jason Day. He is one of the better competitors on tour and is a member at Muirfield Village. He lives only 23 miles from the course and plays there once a week during the year when he is there. He knows the course the best and it will show in his scores.

Andrew – Hard to argue with Greg but I’ll pick Adam Scott. He had a great year and comes in hot after a nice Fedex Cup run. He has the mindset that excels in match play.

USA MVP

Greg - Jordan Spieth, who is arguably the best player in the world currently. Nearly stole the tour championship from Henrik Stenson and has shown ice in his veins more than once in pressure situations this year. He will be the strongest of the US players.

Andrew – Zach Johnson, assuming he gets put into a lot of matches. He is also redhot right now and putting is so key in these competitions, which he excels at.

Which International Player will struggle?

Greg - Marc Leishman. I already noted I wouldn’t have selected him.

Andrew – Ernie Els will struggle. He’s battled with injuries and poor play ever since he won that major last year.

Which USA Player will struggle?

Greg – Phil Mickelson. Just a hunch.

Andrew – Hunter Mahan. It’s tough to choose a guy but he hasn’t played that great the second half of the year and sometimes struggles in these team things.

What International Pairing do you want to see together in groups?

Greg - Adam Scott/Angel Cabrera - Their finish at the Masters this year was memorable and I'd like to see the combo of their length and GIR.

Andrew – Adam Scott/Jason Day – This is a powerhouse team I think they could ride to a victory in every group session, no matter who they face.

What USA Pairing do you want to see together in groups?

Greg - Bill Haas/Keegan Bradley. I know Phil loves to play with Keegan, but I think that Haas has the quiet confidence to get Keegan playing well.

Andrew – I’ll be okay seeing groups that have played well in the past together… Keegan/Phil and Tiger/Stricker. But I’d love to see Spieth play with a big boy like Tiger and Phil and create that young/old magic similar to Keegan/Phil in Ryder Cup last year.

What singles matchups do you want to see Sunday?

Greg - Tiger vs. Adam Scott (for obvious reasons, and Scott will win). I’d also enjoy Hunter Mahan vs. Jason Day, and Jordan Spieth vs. Hideki Matsuyama.

Andrew – I’m all in on Tiger vs. Scott. They are arguably the best two players in the world, that don’t really like each other. And you have the whole caddie situation. And Tiger would win.

Who will win and will it be close?

Greg - The US will win, and no, it won't be close. The US team is miles better than the International team from top to bottom and at every position. 6 of the 12 US players have won majors (4 for International team), and the members of the US team are all playing better than their International counterparts (with the exception of Tiger at the moment).

Andrew – Agree with Greg. The USA owns this competition and they will again.

What's your overall opinion on the President's Cup?

Greg - I think it is a more fun version of the Ryder Cup. Even if the US loses it won't matter that much, and the International team is nowhere near as good as the Euro teams of the Ryder cup. It also does not have the tradition or suspense that the Ryder Cup has. Maybe later on in its existence it will have more draw, but to me it does not feel like it is a "must watch" event.

Andrew – I enjoy the President’s Cup but wish it was more competitive. It seems that Internationally there isn’t as much talent these days so it is always a blowout, unlike the Ryder Cup. Plus, since people are plucked from all over, it’s hard for their team to gel like the Euro’s.

By: The Sports Guys