The Presidents Cup is set for an exciting start, with the highly anticipated Thursday Fourball matches leading the way. In his podcast, Will Doctor provides a comprehensive breakdown of the matches, offering sharp predictions based on player form, historical performance, and strategic pairing decisions. Let’s dive into his in-depth analysis of each match, supported by player statistics and betting insights.

Match 1: Xander Schauffele & Tony Finau vs. Jason Day & Byung-hun Ahn

Will Doctor opens his analysis by questioning U.S. captain Jim Furyk’s decision to split Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, who have an impressive history as a pair. Despite this, Doctor believes Schauffele’s flexibility allows him to adapt to playing with Tony Finau, who, despite earlier struggles off the tee, has shown significant improvement. Schauffele and Finau are favorites at -180 on DraftKings, and Doctor is confident in this pairing.

Player Stats & Analysis

• Xander Schauffele: A consistent performer, Schauffele has been adaptable in different pairings, making him a key player in team formats.
• Tony Finau: Though Finau had issues with driving accuracy earlier in the season, his form improved in the last two events at Castle Pines and Eastlake, making him a solid choice for this format. Finau’s increased distance off the tee adds another advantage to this pairing.

On the international side, Jason Day and Byung-hun Ahn face challenges. Day’s performance in previous Presidents Cups has been subpar, and his recent results are not encouraging. In his last outing at the BMW Championship, he finished 33rd and didn’t qualify for the Tour Championship.

• Jason Day: While one of the best putters in the world, Day’s ball-striking and driving accuracy have faltered in recent months, with problems in 7 of his last 11 events.
• Byung-hun Ahn: Ahn has only participated in one Presidents Cup (2019), where he saw limited success, and his form has been inconsistent in recent tournaments.

Prediction: Schauffele & Finau to win. Schauffele’s consistency combined with Finau’s resurgence makes them a strong pair, while Day and Ahn’s struggles will likely continue.

Match 2: Collin Morikawa & Sahith Theegala vs. Adam Scott & Min Woo Lee

In this matchup, Morikawa and Theegala enter as favorites at -135. Doctor highlights Theegala’s impressive recent form, including a strong performance at the 2024 FedEx Cup and a near-win at Eastlake. Morikawa’s solo second-place finish at the Tour Championship is another indication of his sharp game, with 8 top-ten finishes in 2024 alone.

Player Stats & Analysis

• Collin Morikawa: Ranked 4th in the world, Morikawa has had an exceptional season despite not securing a win. His consistency makes him a key player in team competitions.
• Sahith Theegala: After finishing 3rd at the Tour Championship and contending at Napa, Theegala has proven himself as a rising star, making this pairing formidable.

On the international side, Adam Scott has a point to prove. The veteran golfer has struggled in previous Presidents Cups, with an overall record of 18-25-6, making him one of the most underperforming players in this competition.

• Adam Scott: With the second most Presidents Cup appearances (behind Phil Mickelson), Scott is determined to improve his record. His passion and experience will drive him, but his past results raise doubts.
• Min Woo Lee: A younger player, Lee has shown potential but has not been a consistent top finisher. His 32nd place at Napa reflects a need for more solid performances.

Prediction: Morikawa & Theegala to win. With Morikawa’s consistency and Theegala’s current form, they are expected to overcome Scott’s uneven record and Lee’s inconsistent results.

Match 3: Scottie Scheffler & Russell Henley vs. Sungjae Im & Tom Kim

Doctor expresses excitement over Jim Furyk’s decision to pair world number one Scottie Scheffler with Russell Henley, known for his exceptional driving accuracy. Scheffler and Henley are -142 favorites, and their combined strengths give them an edge over the international pair.

Player Stats & Analysis

• Scottie Scheffler: The top-ranked player in the world, Scheffler has been dominant throughout the season. His strong all-around game makes him a force in any format.
• Russell Henley: Henley’s accuracy has been his defining feature, ranking 5th in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour. His steady performances in majors make him an ideal partner for Scheffler.

Sungjae Im has had a solid 2024, climbing to 7th in the FedEx Cup standings, but pairing him with Tom Kim raises questions. Doctor speculates that international captain Mike Weir chose Kim for his success in the 2022 Presidents Cup, but Kim’s current form is concerning.

• Tom Kim: After finishing 52nd in the FedEx Cup standings, Kim has struggled throughout the season. His game has not been as sharp, and he faces a tough challenge against Scheffler and Henley.

Prediction: Scheffler & Henley to win. The strong pairing of Scheffler’s all-around game and Henley’s accuracy should overpower Im and the inconsistent Kim.

Match 4: Wyndham Clark & Keegan Bradley vs. Taylor Pendrith & Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Clark and Bradley are -112 favorites, and Doctor believes they are the stronger pair. He criticizes Mike Weir’s decision to pair Taylor Pendrith with Christiaan Bezuidenhout, as Bezuidenhout’s recent performances have been lackluster.

Player Stats & Analysis

• Wyndham Clark: A steady player with a strong all-around game, Clark’s form positions him well for this format.
• Keegan Bradley: Known for his tenacity, Bradley brings experience and determination to this pairing.

On the other side, Bezuidenhout has struggled in his last four starts, losing shots with his driver, while Pendrith’s form has been inconsistent.

• Christiaan Bezuidenhout: His driver has let him down in recent events, and his short game has not been up to his usual standards.
• Taylor Pendrith: Pendrith has potential but hasn’t consistently delivered, making this pairing vulnerable.

Prediction: Clark & Bradley to win. Bezuidenhout’s struggles will likely hinder the international team’s chances.

Match 5: Hideki Matsuyama & Corey Conners vs. Patrick Cantlay & Sam Burns

This final match features evenly matched teams, with both pairs priced at -110. Doctor notes that while Matsuyama and Conners have been solid in individual events, their team performances have not been as successful. On the other hand, Cantlay’s experience in team formats and Sam Burns’ comfort in Fourball give the Americans an edge.

Player Stats & Analysis

• Patrick Cantlay: Cantlay has a proven track record in team events, making him a reliable player in this format.
• Sam Burns: After a rough 2022 Presidents Cup, Burns has found more success in Fourball and will likely thrive alongside Cantlay.

Prediction: Cantlay & Burns to win. Their combined experience and skill give them the edge over Matsuyama and Conners.

Conclusion

Will Doctor predicts a clean sweep for the U.S. in Thursday’s Fourball matches. With strong pairings and favorable odds, the Americans are poised for success, while the international team faces challenges with some questionable pairing decisions by captain Mike Weir.