Grace On Point In Presidents Cup

The USA are favourites this week as they face an international team in the Presidents Cup in South Korea.

The Tournament
The Presidents Cup is a biennial event created by the PGA Tour in 1994 and contested by a USA team and an international team. Like the Ryder Cup, it’s a match play format with twelve players on each side competing over three days of four-balls and foursomes, followed by a final day of singles match-ups. The USA has dominated the event, winning eight of the ten editions, including the last five.

The Course
This year the tournament is being staged in Asia for the first time, at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon City, South Korea. At 7300 yards, it’s a fair test of driving distance, but the fairways are wide and the rough is forgiving. The exposed nature of the course, dramatic undulations and large greens give the layout a links feel, and players who enjoy that style of golf may have an edge.

In The Bunker
The International team includes the likes of Jason Day, Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen, and you might think the 2/1 about them lifting the trophy looks a good bet. But overall, the USA has a significant edge in ability. Four of the International team are ranked inside the world top twenty, compared to nine of their opponents and every member of the USA team is inside the top thirty. The International team is outgunned and even at odds against doesn’t appeal.

Recommended Bets
Two years ago Branden Grace made his debut in the Presidents Cup and had a bit of a nightmare, losing all four matches, but he’s a different player in 2015 and he will have a big part to play this time. He played reasonably well at St Andrews last week, after a break, and that should set him up for his trip to Korea.

One of the rising stars of world golf, he looks a good bet to top score for his team at 8/1.

After lifting his second Major at the British Open back in July, Zach Johnson has continued in strong form, making the top four at the Barclays and ending the FedEx Cup play-offs with a top ten at the Tour Championship. Having played this event three times, he’s the second most experienced USA player and has a solid 7-6 win record from his thirteen matches. Back him at 10/1 to top score for his team.

Charl Schwartzel is one of three players on the International team to have played this event more than once, and more significantly, he is the only one of the twelve to have a winning record. His last outing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was a disappointment, but he played well at the European Open prior to that and he should enjoy this course.

Back him at 10/1 to top score for the International team.

*Prices correct at time of publication.