Presidents Cup 2015: Predicting Scores and Standings for Sunday's Pairings
The Presidents Cup has never been able to match the importance and tradition of the Ryder Cup, but this year's final day of competition between the U.S. team and the Internationals sets up to be as dramatic as any team competition in recent memory.
The U.S. team, featuring Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, takes a 9½-8½ lead into the 12 singles matches that will decide the winner of the event at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in South Korea.
While all of the matchups have the potential to decide the outcome, there was some disappointment when the lineups were announced because U.S. coach Jay Haas chose not to pit Spieth against Jason Day. Instead, Day will face Zach Johnson while Spieth will meet Marc Leishman.
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International captain Nick Price told Rex Hoggard of the Golf Channel that he thought the Day-Spieth matchup would be scheduled. "I was surprised they put Jordan down opposite Marc Leishman, but obviously they figured out where their strengths are,” Price said.
Haas explained that he didn't think a Spieth-Day matchup was "make-or-break" to the outcome of the Presidents Cup.
"This is what the home fans came to see. #QuickHits http://t.co/sZMWINRxkE
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 9, 2015"
| Patrick Reed | Louis Oosthuizen | Oosthuizen | 2 and 1 | Louis is just too sharp |
| Rickie Fowler | Adam Scott | Fowler | 3 and 2 | Scott's putter is not working |
| Dustin Johnson | Danny Lee | Johnson | 4 and 3 | Dustin takes advantage of Lee's sloppy play |
| J.B. Holmes | Hideki Matsuyama | Matsuyama | 1 up | Holmes puts up a fight, but Matsuyama prevails |
| Bubba Watson | Thongchai Jaidee | Watson | 2 and 1 | Watson holds on after building big lead |
| Jimmy Walker | Steven Bowditch | Bowditch | 1 up | Pulls it out on final hole |
| Phil Mickelson | Charl Schwartzel | Mickelson | 2 up | Lefty gets it done with late rally |
| Chris Kirk | Anirban Lahiri | Lahiri | 1 up | Underrated Lahiri wins it with late clutch putt |
| Jordan Spieth | Marc Leishman | Leishman | 2 and 1 | Leishman takes down Jordan with spectacular back nine |
| Zach Johnson | Jason Day | Johnson | 3 and 2 | PGA champ looks tired |
| Matt Kuchar | Branden Grace | Grace | 4 and 3 | Grace has been spectacular through competition |
| Bill Haas | Bae Sang-moon | Bae | 1 up | South Korean native son clinches Cup for Internationals |
Key match analysis
Patrick Reed, U.S. vs. Louis Oosthuizen, International
Oosthuizen has had an excellent run so far in the Presidents Cup, winning all of his matches and displaying the same kind of error-free play that he showed during the 2014-15 golf season. Oosthuizen would appear to have an advantage over Patrick Reed, who has not been quite as consistent as Oosthuizen. However, Reed loves match play, and he came up with a huge victory over Henrik Stenson in last year's Ryder Cup.
"Perfect. Oosthuizen-Grace becomes first International team to go 4-0-0 in single week: http://t.co/uxvYOk2O73 pic.twitter.com/32RvzF34sb
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) October 10, 2015"
Dustin Johnson, U.S. vs. Danny Lee, International
This is a crucial match for the Americans, and Johnson should be in a position to take this match because Lee has not played well in the Presidents Cup and did not play at all in Saturday's two sessions. Johnson's length could be an intimidating factor if he can get off to a sharp start and take an early lead.
Bubba Watson, U.S. vs. Thongchai Jaidee, International
Watson has been one of the steadiest players in the competition, but he failed to hole a relatively easy birdie putt on the 18th green during Saturday's morning session. That missed putt cost the U.S. a half-point as he and partner J.B. Holmes finished all square with Adam Scott and Marc Leishman. Watson lost his only previous Presidents Cup singles match, and he is 0-3 in Ryder Cup singles.
"Bubba Watson misses short putt on the final green. Instead of a full point, that's a halve.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) October 10, 2015"
Jordan Spieth, U.S. vs. Marc Leishman, International
Most wanted to see Spieth square off with Jason Day, but he will get all the competition he needs from Leishman. Spieth lost in Presidents Cup singles two years ago to Graham DeLaet, and he dropped his Ryder Cup singles match last year to Graeme McDowell. Leishman was victorious over Matt Kuchar in the 2013 Presidents Cup, and he has played well in big moments. He is unlikely to be intimidated against Spieth.
Zach Johnson, U.S. vs. Jason Day, International
Day was brilliant at the end of the tour season, and he picked up his first major when he won the PGA Championship in August. Johnson won his second major as he picked up the British Open title in July. Day has not been at his best in the Presidents Cup as he has an 0-3-1 record heading into the singles.
"U.S. captain Jay Haas sidestepped potential Jordan Spieth vs. Jason Day showdown on Sunday: http://t.co/FmEDSN73t1 pic.twitter.com/3ynetMzne7
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) October 10, 2015"
Bill Haas, U.S. vs. Bae Sang-moon, International
If it plays out the way we expect, the final holes of this match will decide the outcome of the Presidents Cup. Haas is the son of the U.S. coach, and he gets the honor of trying to bring home the win. Haas is 0-1-1 this week, while South Korean Bae Sang-moon will have the backing of his countrymen here. Bae takes a 2-0-1 record into this match, and he will have the South Korean fans roaring at the match's conclusion.
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