Presidents Cup Tip: USA

The bookmakers are struggling to separate the two teams. The International side are evens (Stan James) and USA are 11/10 (Bet365), so let’s try to split them.

Presidents Cup History
In the eight times this tournament has been held the International team has won once, losing six times with one tie. The good news for them is that the last time they won it was at this week’s venue, in 1998 at Royal Melbourne. Only four of today’s players competed in the event -  Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Individual Cup Record
The teams are evenly matched in experience both with a blend of debutants and gnarled veterans. The USA have the equivalent of 28 caps, the International side has 26. When it comes down to individual records the Americans have the edge. Their team averages 0.56 points per player compared to Greg Norman’s men who average 0.49 points per player.

Current World Rankings
Thanks to Tiger Woods’ good finish in the Australian Open, Fred Couples can call on a team entirely made up from top 50 players, with an average world ranking of 18.5. Things aren’t so bright for the International team, they average 34.7 to a man, with captain’s pick Robert Allenby languishing in 69th position.

That seems an even stranger decision considering world number 37 Louis Oosthuizen was ignored in favour of a player with a poor Presidents Cup record. Allenby has 9.5 points from a possible 24, only KJ Choi has a worse record.

Both past and present records point towards an American win. Although home support will be an advantage, the International team are weaker in all departments. The USA should be heavily odds-on, and therefore at 11/10 (Bet365) are a two-point bet.