For years the brains at the PGA Tour tried to figure a way to somehow capture the passion of the Ryder Cup and instill it in its own Presidents Cup.
Now some may say it was Captain Nick Price’s insistence that the format be changed to better accommodate an perennially overmatched International team. Some may say it was Phil Mickelson’s gaffe of handing the Internationals two holes at once. 
Some my say it’s that the American team is not playing up to their overwhelming world rankings. Many could argue that it was just a matter of time and it was bound to happen sometime. Heck even the Washington Generals beat the Globetrotters once and awhile.
And some may actually give credit to the International Team. They have some real studs this year and maybe they are just playing real good golf.
Whatever the reason is the fact is that we have an interesting and competitive Presidents Cup. And that’s a good thing for the tour, Korea, Sangmoon Bae, Nick Price, the Internationals, the Americans and everything else associated with this thing. The Presidents Cup was on life support, hanging on for dear life only by the good graces and deep pockets of the PGA Tour. Tim Finchem wanted some Ryder Cup passion to come along with his version of America versus the world and at least this year he got some.
The Sunday Singles matches give us some possible thrilling matchups but captains Price and Jay Haas still had a few players they needed to protect. However, singles offers no protection of the team play and there may be some big time beatdowns on Sunday.
Patrick Reed vs. Louie Oosthuizen: Haas sent out his fiercest player against Price’s big gun in Oosthuizen. Louie is 4-0-0 and looks to be one of the real heroes if they pull off the comeback. 
Rickie Fowler vs. Adam Scott: Normally this would have the makings of a great match after all they are two of the most well-liked and popular players on tour. But Scott hasn’t made a putt in months.
Dustin Johnson vs. Danny Lee: Price tried to hide Lee this week but he drew a tough match with the overpowering Johnson.
J.B Holmes vs. Hideki Matsuyama: “Sherlock” Holmes has been a stud this week with his lone loss coming at the hands of the undefeated team of Oosthuizen & Grace. Don’t discount Matsuyama, he can hit it a ton and has a great game.
Bubba Watson vs. Thongchai Jaidee: “Doctor” Watson has been feasting on the par fives. It will take one of his classic meltdowns, which he could spring on us any minute, to lose to the elder Jaidee.
Jimmy Walker vs. Steven Bowditch: Walker has had a disappointing week. His saving grace is that Bowditch has had a worse one: he hasn’t earned any points at all.
Phil Mickelson vs. Charl Swartzel: Phil is having a solid week but he outsmarted himself with the “two ball” fiasco and added fuel to the Internationals fire when he said that their best team couldn’t beat them even when they were spotted two holes. You would think he would learn to throttle the wise ass remarks after his last team match.
Chris Kirk vs. Anirban Lahire: Who? you may be asking…. this is why Price wanted to reduce the number of matches. At leat price’s man earned two ties this week. Kirk has no points for the Americans.
Jordan Spieth vs. Marc Leishman: Some fans are upset that Spieth wasn’t pitted against Jason Day but Haas was smart to put him against a player he should beat. Day may have beaten Spieth and that would have cost Haas what should be a sure point. But anything can happen in match play.
Matt Kuchar vs. Branden Grace: Kuch hasn’t performed well (0-1-1) while Grace (4-0-0) has emerged as a hero for the Internationals. Grace started slow but is hitting on all cylinders and is on a high from his undefeated pairing with Oosthuizen.
Bill Haas vs. Sangmoon Bae: Price held Bae out of the first session and it may be his only mistake. He’s gone 2-0-1 since then and the fans go wild with each of his shots. Price was wise to put him in the anchor spot. If it comes down to the final match that place will go crazy. Captain Haas did his son no favors in sending him out last. He hasn’t played well (-0-1-1) with his putter being only slightly better than Scott’s. If this match is needed and Haas fails to close out the cup both he and his father will be open to some severe criticism.
Related Articles
