2013 President’s Cup: Thursday Predictions
Tiger Woods celebrates a President’s Cup win in 2011.
So, I figured I would take a break from my 2013 wrap up to look at the 2013 President’s Cup. I hope that’s okay with you all. And if it’s not, well, I’m doing it anyway. Plus, part of me believes the President shut down the government so that he could personally oversee the golf tournament that is played for his cup.
Okay, that may not bee 100% true. Or is it? Get your tin foil hats out people!
ANYWAY, let’s take a look at the Thursday Four Ball matches.
Match One: Jason Day and Graham DeLaet vs. Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker
Well just by the eye test here, Hunter and Brandt should dust Jason and Graham. But this is the first match of the first day. I feel like anything can happen. I still think the Americans take this one, but it will be closer than the experts think. Something like 2 and 1 or 1 up. (Note: I am not, nor will I ever be, an expert.)
Prediction: USA
Match Two: Bill Haas and Webb Simpson vs. Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama
Now this one is a little more interesting. Haas and Simpson have had some success in recent years, but it doesn’t seem like it has come recently. Adam Scott, on the other hand, was nearly the Player of the Year on the PGA Tour. He won the Master’s and nearly won the British Open. Matsuyama is a little bit of a wild card, but something tells me the youngster will be so pumped up, he will be a positive influence on Scott.
Prediction: International
Match Three: Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel vs. Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley
First of all, can we not pair Louis and Charl together again? Those are two impossible names to spell repeatedly. Anyway, I could see them bonding, playing for South Africa, all that crap. They will be good for each other. Similarly, Keegan and Phil ARE good for each other. Their partnership and bromance was magical at last year’s Ryder Cup. It even included butt slaps and goofy Phil thumbs. Look for that magic to continue. If they don’t win, I will be shocked.
Prediction: USA
Match Four: Steve Stricker and Jordan Spieth vs. Ernie Els and Brendon de Jonge
This is an interesting match-up. For the International team, you have another African combo. On the USA side, you have the wily veteran (and noted savage) paired with the 20 year-old phenom. The experience of Stricker should help Spieth. Plus, I really think the youth in this tournament is going to make a name for itself in this tournament. No expert analysis there (again, I’m not an expert), just call it a hunch.
Prediction: USA
Match Five: Angel Cabrera and Marc Leishman vs. Matt Kuchar and Tiger Woods
This is going to be a cakewalk for Matt and Tiger. Matt Kuchar won the Memorial on this course, this year. Tiger didn’t obviously. But that’s okay, Tiger owns this golf course. He was won here a bunch of times. In fact, the number of times he has won at Muirfield Village would equal a stellar career for almost any other tour pro. His course knowledge alone will cause jitters on the first tee for the International team. But, let’s not forget he is the best player in the world right now. I don’t see any way the International squad can keep this close.
Prediction: USA. By a lot.
Match Six: Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson vs. Branden Grace and Richard Sterne
I am going to call for an upset here. Sure Jason Dufner has been great this year. So has Zach Johnson for that matter. But ZJ has been fighting the flu bug. Sure, he’ll probably say all is good, but will you believe him? I won’t. I am also taking into account the underdog factor for Grace and Sterne. Is anyone, anywhere giving these guys a chance? Probably not. Except right here!
Prediction: International