Will Doctor delivers the sharpest prop card for the 15th Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club (Blue Course).
Stay tuned for Doc's Presidents Cup daily picks throughout the tournament. You can find him on X @drmedia59
In this episode of the Golf Preview Podcast, Will Docter provides an in-depth preview of the 2024 Presidents' Cup, offering analysis on team compositions, key players, and betting tips for the tournament at Royal Montreal.
Overview (0:16 - 22:05)
The Presidents' Cup is a biennial event where the U.S. competes against an international team (excluding Europe). The tournament features 30 matches over four days: five on Thursday and Friday, eight on Saturday, and twelve singles matches on Sunday. Historically, the U.S. has dominated the competition, winning every Cup since 2003. Docter doesn’t expect that to change this year due to the talent disparity between the teams.
U.S. Team:
The U.S. team is missing Bryson DeChambeau but remains strong with elite players like Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, both boasting impressive Presidents’ Cup records. Schauffele, who has a 6-3-0 record in the Presidents' Cup, is one of Docter’s top picks for the tournament, especially given the course’s emphasis on accuracy. Tony Finau is another player Docter highlights, noting his solid ball-striking and improved putting.
International Team:
The international squad, led by Mike Weir, faces a significant challenge without LIV players like Cam Smith and Joaquin Niemann. Key returners include Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim, and Hideki Matsuyama, but Docter questions whether they can carry the team. He also emphasizes the importance of Canada’s Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith performing well after their disappointing 0-4-0 records in 2022.
LIV Golf Controversy:
Docter criticizes the LIV Golf format, calling it a "joke" and blaming it for excluding top international talent from this year’s event. LIV players were not allowed to compete in the Presidents’ Cup, despite being eligible for other events like the Ryder Cup.
Betting Insights:
Docter provides several betting recommendations, starting with Team USA to win at -250. He offers three prop bets:
- Xander Schauffele to be the Top USA Point Scorer at +450, citing his flexibility in pairings and strong Presidents' Cup record.
- Tony Finau as the Top USA Captain’s Pick at +650, emphasizing his ball-striking and respectable team event history.
- Sahith Theegala to finish as the Top USA Rookie at +250, praising his recent form and energy, which will be crucial in a high-stakes team event.
On the international side, Docter passes on many categories but backs Si Woo Kim as the Top International Captain’s Pick at +350. He notes Si Woo’s strong ball-striking, recent form, and history of excelling in team formats.
Key Quotes and Stats:
- "The United States has won every Presidents' Cup since 2003, and I don’t think that changes this week."
- Docter establishes that the U.S. remains the heavy favorite, particularly with the absence of key international players.
- "Xander Schauffele has a 6-3-0 record in two Presidents' Cups."
- Schauffele’s experience and versatility make him a strong bet for top U.S. scorer, especially given the challenging setup of Royal Montreal.
- "Si Woo Kim’s ball-striking has been phenomenal over his last two events."
- Docter’s confidence in Si Woo stems from his recent finishes and history of delivering in big moments, making him a standout pick for top international captain's choice.
Time Stamps:
- Introduction and overview (0:16 - 0:29)
- Presidents’ Cup format breakdown (0:39 - 22:05)
- Team analysis and key players (various segments within 0:39 - 22:05)
- LIV Golf controversy and implications (15:00 - 17:00)
- Betting recommendations (22:05 - 40:00)
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