Golf: Presidents Cup
Venue: Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Victoria, Australia.
Dates: 12th – 15th December 2019
Tournament Preview
The 13th edition of the Presidents Cup gets underway in Melbourne with Team America looking to defend their title against Team World. Tiger Woods is the playing-captain of the American side that is very strong on paper as they travel across to the Australian sunshine. Ernie Els will be hoping to inspire his Team World side that have no fewer than 7 rookies in their ranks. The President’s Cup is played bi-annually between America and the Rest of the World facing off over the following format:-
- Day 1 – 5 foursomes
- Day 2 – 5 fourballs
- Day 3 – 4 foursomes & 4 fourballs
- Day 4 – 12 singles
In the rich history of the event, Team USA have won the Presidents’ Cup on 10 occasions with the Rest of the World winning the event once (at Royal Melbourne in 1998) as well as one tie, which came back in 2003.
The event takes place to raise money for charitable causes, with no prize money on offer for the players taking part.
Betting Preview
President’s Cup Overall Result
Team USA have historically had the wood on the Rest of the World side and with no fewer than 5 players in their side within the world’s top 10, they look justified favourites here.
Top American Points Scorer
Justin Thomas is operating at a win rate of 70% in his previous Presidents Cup matches and following another impressive season, he appears to be one of the key men for Team America this time around.
Despite being at the heart of the controversy at the Hero World Golf Challenge last time out, Patrick Reed has been in good form of late and will relish a return to matchplay golf here in Melbourne under the stewardship of Tiger Woods.
Top International Points Scorer
Japanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama has enjoyed yet another superb season on the PGA Tour and he will carry much of the International point scoring responsibility here in Melbourne.
South African Louis Oosthuizen is a proven performer at this level and with 3 previous Presidents Cup appearances to his name; he could be a valuable resource for Ernie Els’s team.
Top Debutant Point Scorer
With no fewer than 12 debutants in the field, the next generation of both American and International golf are set to be exposed to the rigours of the President’s Cup:-
Tony Finau is ranked number 16 in the world and has already played and performed well in a Ryder Cup scenario. He may be a debutant at the President’s Cup but he has plenty of big game matchplay experience.
Young Chilean Joaquin Niemann picked up the first win of his fledgling career on the PGA Tour this season and he plays without fear. He could be one to watch closely here in Melbourne this week.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Overall Winner: Team USA – 0.35
Top American Point Scorer: Justin Thomas – 4.50
Top International Point Scorer: Louis Oosthuizen – 5.00
Top Debutant Point Scorer: Tony Finau – 8.00
