In the latest episode of the Golf Preview Podcast on Pregame's Network, host Will Docter brings an engaging and data-driven analysis of the rollercoaster day at the 15th Presidents Cup. After a commanding Thursday performance by Team USA, which swept all five four-ball matches, Friday’s foursome sessions took a shocking turn as the international team surged back into contention. Will breaks down each match from Friday, analyzing key player performances, missed opportunities, and offering expert betting advice for Saturday’s upcoming contests.

Friday’s Shocking Turnaround

What started as another dominant day for Team USA quickly turned into a nightmare as the international team delivered a dramatic comeback on Friday. Will takes us through the highs and lows, examining what went wrong for the Americans and how the international players capitalized on their mistakes.

Match 6: Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im vs. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele

• Result: Matsuyama and Im dominated with a 7 and 6 victory.
• Key Stats: Matsuyama and Im were 8 under through 12 holes, finishing the match with a stunning seven consecutive birdies.
• Analysis: Cantlay and Schauffele, two of the most reliable players on the U.S. team, were completely outclassed. “Seven straight birdies is flat-out impressive stuff,” Will comments, acknowledging that few could have stopped the international duo’s momentum. Matsuyama, who was in the bottom five for strokes gained after Day 1, delivered one of the best performances of Friday. His partner Sungjae Im was equally effective, helping the duo hand Cantlay and Schauffele a devastating loss.

Will emphasizes that this match wasn’t so much about Cantlay and Schauffele underperforming, but about Matsuyama and Im playing at an elite level. This was a key moment that shifted the momentum toward the international team and foreshadowed the challenges Team USA would face in the remaining matches.

Match 7: Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith vs. Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa

• Result: Scott and Pendrith won 2 and 1.
• Key Stats: Taylor Pendrith continued his strong play, ranked third in strokes gained for the internationals, while Theegala struggled mightily, having the second-worst day on the course.
• Analysis: Morikawa was solid in ball striking, but Theegala’s poor putting and inconsistency made it impossible for the pair to gain any traction. “Theegala didn’t bring anything to the table,” Will notes, as Theegala failed to capitalize on the momentum from his Thursday performance. Pendrith, meanwhile, was stellar for a second consecutive day, and Scott’s redemption on the greens helped the international team secure another crucial point.

The breakdown of Theegala’s form highlights a weakness in the U.S. strategy, as he was clearly out of rhythm. Pendrith and Scott showcased superior teamwork and execution, allowing them to take control of the match. This victory marked another major point for the internationals as they started building momentum.

Match 8: Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Jason Day vs. Max Homa and Brian Harman

• Result: Bezuidenhout and Day edged out a 1-up victory.
• Key Stats: Harman had a dismal day, finishing last in strokes gained, while Homa was strong with his driving but was left without support.
• Analysis: Harman’s struggles were a significant factor in this match, as he left his partner Homa to battle against two skilled international players. “Harman left Homa out to dry,” Will says, reflecting on Harman’s inability to contribute effectively. Despite Homa’s excellent ball striking, his lack of putting success, coupled with Harman’s errors, allowed Day and Bezuidenhout to escape with a narrow victory.

Though Day and Bezuidenhout were not at their best, they capitalized on the U.S. team’s mistakes. The Americans had no answers, and this loss marked yet another frustrating moment for Team USA. The key takeaway here was Harman’s inability to find his rhythm, which ultimately cost them the match.

Match 9: Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes vs. Wyndham Clark and Tony Finau

• Result: Conners and Hughes won 7 and 6 in a dominating performance.
• Key Stats: Conners and Hughes made seven birdies and controlled the match from start to finish, while Finau and Clark struggled with their putting and iron play.
• Analysis: Conners and Hughes fed off the energy of the home crowd, overwhelming their American opponents. “Clark and Finau couldn’t make a putt if they were given the line,” Will remarks, noting that their normally reliable ball-striking skills completely faltered on Friday. The two Canadians delivered a masterclass in putting and ball striking, leaving no room for Team USA to mount a comeback.

This match further solidified the resurgence of the international team, with Conners and Hughes demonstrating poise and precision under pressure. Finau, who had struggled on the greens throughout the week, was once again a weak link, and his inability to recover hurt the U.S. team’s chances.

Match 10: Si Woo Kim and Byeong Hun An vs. Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley

• Result: Kim and An won 2 and 1.
• Key Stats: Si Woo Kim was flawless in the clutch, birdieing 12, 13, and 15, and sinking a 15-foot par putt to secure the match.
• Analysis: Si Woo Kim’s reputation as a clutch player shone brightly in this match. Despite Scheffler’s ball striking and Henley’s solid play, neither could deliver when it mattered most. Kim’s ability to close out tight matches was evident, and An provided steady support. Will points out, “Si Woo thrives under pressure, and he showed it again today.”

This win for the internationals was yet another reminder of how critical it is to perform in pressure moments. Scheffler, ranked number one in the world, couldn’t find his putting touch, and the Americans were left to rue their missed opportunities.

Saturday’s Predictions and Betting Insights

After dissecting Friday’s matches, Will turns his attention to Saturday’s contests, offering detailed betting analysis and predictions.

Match 11: Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa vs. Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith

• Odds: Scheffler and Morikawa are the -205 favorites.
• Prediction: Will believes Scheffler and Morikawa will bounce back from Friday’s disappointment. Despite both players’ struggles with putting, Will backs them based on their overall talent and Scheffler’s world number one ranking. The key will be whether they can rediscover their touch on the greens.

Match 12: Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele vs. Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes

• Odds: Finau and Schauffele are the -170 favorites, but Will favors the underdog duo of Conners and Hughes at +141.
• Prediction: Will is confident in Conners and Hughes, especially after their stellar Friday performance. Finau’s struggles with the greens and Schauffele’s shaky form lead him to believe that the Canadians will continue their momentum into Saturday. “Connors and Hughes have been doing it for two days, and I’m rolling with them,” Will says.

Match 13: Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim vs. Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark

• Odds: Si Woo and Tom Kim are the -117 favorites.
• Prediction: Will is bullish on the synergy between Si Woo and Tom Kim, citing their complementary styles. While Bradley and Clark present a solid U.S. pairing, Will gives the edge to the international team due to Si Woo’s confidence and Tom Kim’s putting ability.

Match 14: Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns vs. Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im

• Odds: Even money for both sides.
• Prediction: Will is skeptical about Cantlay and Burns, despite Cantlay’s strong showing on Thursday. With Burns struggling on Friday, Will leans toward Matsuyama and Im, predicting that they will capitalize on their momentum and edge out the Americans in a tight match.

Wrapping Up: What’s in Store for Sunday

Will concludes the episode by setting the stage for Sunday’s singles matches, noting how critical Saturday’s results will be for determining momentum. While Team USA came into Friday with all the confidence in the world, the international team’s resurgence has shifted the dynamic. As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Americans can rebound or if the internationals will continue their remarkable run.

This 15th Presidents Cup has delivered unexpected results and thrilling moments. Will’s analysis, combined with his expert betting insights, offers a detailed roadmap for what fans and bettors should expect going into the weekend. From player breakdowns to match predictions, this episode serves as a must-listen for anyone following the action closely.