2022 PREDSIDENTS CUP PREVIEW

PGA / Golf

Written by Conner Rowntree

There are 30 Points up for grabs at Quail Hollow Club for the 14th Presidents Cup, and 15.5 are needed to win the biennial tournament. The United States hasn't lost The Presidents Cup since 1998. The International victory at Royal Melbourne is the only time the Internationals hoisted the coveted trophy. With five of the top 10 players in the world, the American team is once again massive favourites. The Americans have won eight consecutive times and 11 of the 13 editions of this event.

To put things in perspective, the average world ranking for the Americans is 11.6; the International team's average is 48.9. This is a classic Biblical tale of David versus Goliath. The exuberant International team visits Quail Hollow Club to take on the Defending Champion Powerhouse, Team United States of America.

Source (Background Photo): PGA Tour

Schedule Format:

• Thursday - 5 foursomes - Alternate Shot
  

• Friday - 5 Fourball
  

• Saturday AM - 4 foursomes - Alternate Shot
  

• Saturday PM - 4 Fourball
  

• Sunday - 12Singles 1v1
  

Players To Watch

Team United States of America

• Scottie Scheffler - The prodigy picked up his third PGA Tour victory in the WGC matchplay tournament in Austin, Texas. Scheffler is an offensive 11-2-2 in individual matches over the past two seasons. Remember, he edged Jon Rahm for a clutch point in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. This man is a pure matchplay assassin.
  

• Kevin Kisner - Match Play wizard Kevin Kisner won the Austin event in 2019 and was runner-up to the aforementioned Scottie Scheffler this past season. Kisner is a proven force in individual match play with a 22-7-2 record, coupled with the fact he has a T-6 and a T-7 at Quail Hollow, and Kisner could be an essential facet to secure American supremacy, yet again. Kisner is the perfect setup man for the American squad. They won't need him to battle the top-tier International players, but he should chew up inferior players in a favourable format.
  

• Justin Thomas - Justin Thomas is a gamer. His level of competition emulates that of his idol, Tiger Woods. Thomas will likely draw the upper echelon of International the ire in crucial matchups throughout the weekend. If Thomas beats down the best the Internationals have to offer, the moral defeat could spell disaster for an exuberant International squad.
  

Team International

• Cam Davis - He's an excellent fit for Quail Hollow. His incredible distance of the tee, coupled with his immaculate approach play from 100-125 yards, is why he's a viable threat on this long layout. Davis ranked ninth on Tour last season in approach from 100-125 yards, eagles per hole, Par 3 scoring and fairway proximity. Those particular stats mean he could be the ideal man to take on the likes of Tony Finau and the other American bombers. Davis also ranked second on Tour in bounce-back percentage last season, so you know he's never out of a fight.

• Tom Kim - This kid is the x-factor for the Internationals. He can strike the ball with the best of them, and his resiliency is indisputable after his rally at the Wyndham Championship. Kim put a triple-bogey on the card to open the tournament and closed it with a five-stroke victory. For the Internationals to have a chance, they need to rely on early exuberance and resilience to fight back, which is Tom Kim's game.
  

• Taylor Pendrith - Over the past few months, Pendrith has been one of the best players on the Tour. Though his world ranking doesn't reflect it, Pendrith enters this Presidents Cup with a ton of swagger. One does not simply have six top 13 finishes in eight starts and not feel ready to rumble. This format will play extraordinarily long, and his prowess off the tee and tenacity with the flat stick should pay dividends in matchups where he may be overlooked.