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PGA TOUR 2007 forecast: Who'll win The Presidents Cup
 
Dec. 28, 2006
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PGATOUR.com's panel of prognosticators have taken time out from their holiday cheer to take a look at the 2007 season. We're pondering the top stories, picking players to watch and going out on a limb to predict the winner of the inaugural FedExCup and Presidents Cup. Hopefully, we won't make total fools of ourselves, but only time will tell.

Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: International team
It's hardly equal to the NBA's home-team advantage but the International squad had its only win and tie when the event was overseas. This year its at Royal Montreal Golf Clubs Blue Course, a par-70 layout that tops out at 7,153 yards. Both par 5s are 570 yards so the bombers still have a chance to flex their muscles. But with three par 4s under 400 yards and two par 3s at 160 or less its more of a finesse course. Heading into 2007, the top 13 players in the world include a half-dozen potential team members: Adam Scott (TFIs pick for breakout player of the year), Retief Goosen, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy and Trevor Immelman. Toss in the guys ranking 21st to 25th (Michael Campbell, Nick OHern, Stuart Appleby, Tim Clark and Angel Cabrera) and Captain Gary Player could take you as the 12th team member and still win.
Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: International team
This is the year for the International team to hoist The Presidents Cup. The United States has won the competition four out of six times, with a tie in 2003, but there's no denying that the up-and-coming players on TOUR are more often from outside the U.S than inside.If Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els continue their stellar play, they should take the Cup from the Americans.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Americans
Its hard to ignore the strength of the International team. Everyone from Down Under. The power from South Africa. And, well, just pick a player. But -- the Americans dont want to feel like they did at The K Club and that, folks, is a powerful factor. Plus, they play looser and have fun at this event and that makes all the difference.
John Maginnes
PGA TOUR Network on XM Satellite Radio analyst
Pick: Americans
I was in Ireland, and I bet on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team in one of the gaming parlors. (I thought that I was betting a horse called Usryder in the fourth race at Wimbly but that is another story. Boy, the Guinness was good over there). So I am sticking with our boys. I think that we will have some fresh blood on the team with Lucas Glover and Dean Wilson. Look for Jerry Kelly to make the team, as well. Can you imagine a Chris DiMarco-Kelly pairing? There would be more fist-pumping than a middleweight title fight. The captains picks should be Neal Lancaster and me. We may both be past our prime but we could certainly talk those boys out of a point or two (does the International team have any players that speak Southern?) On second thought, maybe Neal and I could be the team trainers.
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Americans
The Internationals will be strong again -- I mean, Australia alone could field a formidable opposing team but the Americans have something to prove. The debacle at the K Club wont be easily forgotten, and even though the last two Presidents Cups have been close, the U.S. Team has had fun and thrived in this competition. The rabid Canadian fans will turn out in droves to support the Internationals at Royal Montreal, but look for Americans to win the Presidents Cup for the first time away from home.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: International team
This isn't about talent levels, because both sides can hoist a cup and watch excess talent spill over the sides. Basically, one putt separates the two teams over the last two matches, which resulted in an emotional U.S. win in 05 for Captain Jack Nicklaus and a tie two years earlier. But the Internationals might be a more motivated bunch in 07 with undoubtedly more to prove. Major champions Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Mike Weir went winless on the PGA TOUR in 2006. Vijay Singh managed just one victory. This group is likely to be more focused as they seek to change fortunes, and if they do, their fine play could extend into The Presidents Cup in Canada.
Mike Vitti
PGATOUR.com ShotLink analyst
Pick: International team
With Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Nick OHern, Rod Pampling, Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby, and John Senden, Australia could field a formidable squad on its own. However, when you can also add Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Tim Clark, Angel Cabrera, K.J. Choi and Canadian favorites Mike Weir and Stephen Ames to the mix, this becomes a very tough task for Captain Jack Nicklaus and his squad to remain undefeated in four consecutive Presidents Cups. Not that I think this will be a run away for the International Team, but this year I think they will get a few more fortuitous bounces and win The Presidents Cup.