At A Glance: Thursday's action
 
Sep. 27, 2007

The first set of records is from the 2007 Presidents Cup. The second set of records indicates the player's overall Presidents Cup record.

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Match #1
Steve Stricker (0-0-0, 2-3-0) and Hunter Mahan (0-0-0, 0-0-0) vs. Adam Scott (0-0-0, 6-3-1) and Geoff Ogilvy (0-0-0, 0-0-0)
U.S. analysis: Not much of a record for the Americans to hang their hopes on with Stricker's two losses in foursomes from his 1996 appearance and Mahan making his debut in the opening match, not the easiest position. This combo should hit a lot of fairways and make some putts once the jitters subside.
U.S. key statistic: Both men rank highly in driving accuracy, and Stricker compliments Mahan nicely by ranking second in proximity to the hole on approaches from the fairway. Inside 150 yards, Stricker is among the best in golf.
International analysis: Talk about throwing an early haymaker at the visitors. Scott is unbeaten in foursomes and Ogilvy, though a rookie, has a major on his resume and should feel comfortable playing with his compatriot and close friend.
International key statistics: Scott and Ogilvy average over 290 yards off the tee, so their games into the greens match up rather well. They also rebound well from mistakes, ranking sixth and second, respectively in the bounce back category. Both are underrated putters.
Match outlook:
It's power vs. accuracy in the opener, with the edge going to The International Team's long-hitting duo. The Americans need a hot hand with the putter to frustrate the Aussies and equalize the contest. Without that, it could be a short match for the visitors.
Projected outcome: International Team wins

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Match #2
Phil Mickelson (0-0-0, 9-12-7) and Woody Austin (0-0-0, 0-0-0) vs. Vijay Singh (0-0-0, 12-13-5) and Mike Weir (0-0-0, 8-6-0)
U.S. analysis:
Mickelson knows Cups. He's played in so many of them, he'll be able to settle down the oldest rookie in the event on the first tee. On the flip side, Austin's personality might get Mickelson to crack a smile. These two wanted to play together and Captain Jack gave them his blessing.
U.S. key statistic: Mickelson hasn't played well since winning the Deutsche Bank and can be erratic off the tee, but he's splitting the fairways in practice rounds. And is there a better player with a wedge in his hand? Austin isn't his old 2005 partner DiMarco. He's as dogged and emotional as DiMarco and he's playing well, but will the chemistry be there?
International analysis:
Canada's hero and the former No. 1 player in the world have teamed up once before, losing 5 and 4 to Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard in the second foursomes of the 2003 matches. Neither player has had the season he hoped for, but as a team, this just might work.
International key statistic: Both are playing well. Singh gives them power off the tee, Weir's accuracy does the rest. Both are good putters -- when they have the feel. Ironic twist: Singh beat Weir to win the 2005 Bell Canadian Open and is a regular up here, so the Canadians have a two-fer to cheer for.
Match outlook: The Internationals will have the crowd behind them, which might lead to some comic relief from Austin. And this match drew the first sparks when International Assistant Captain Ian Baker-Finch said Weir thinks he has Mickelson's number. He might be right. He's 4-1 against him in this event.
Projected outcome: International Team wins

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Match #3
Stewart Cink (0-0-0, 5-3-1) and Zach Johnson (0-0-0, 0-0-0) vs. Rory Sabbatini (0-0-0, 0-0-0) and Trevor Immelman (0-0-0, 1-3-0)
U.S. analysis:
The American duo has played together before, coupling in the 2006 Ryder Cup for a Foursomes match that they lost 5 and 4 to Paul Casey and David Howell. Cink has played in two prior Presidents Cups and three Ryder Cups, so offers experience for Presidents Cup rookie Zach Johnson, though the 2007 Masters champion has shown he has what it takes to win the big ones this year.
U.S. key statistic: Johnson sits near the bottom of the list for average driving distance on TOUR, hitting it 280.4 yards to Cink's middle-of-the-pack 295.5 yards. However, Johnson has been a much more reliable driver in 2007 with 73.05 percent of his drives falling in the fairway to place him in fourth place on TOUR for driving accuracy.
International analysis: The pair of South Africans have also dueled together in the past, winning the World Cup in 2003 and tying for fourth in 2004. They are set to play together at the World Cup again in 2007, so this was a natural selection for two guys quite familiar with each other. Sabbatini has momentum in his favor, coming off four straight top-10s in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup and a win earlier in the season.
International key statistic: Sabbatini averaged 1.795 putts after hitting the green in regulation this season compared to Immelman who, at No. 183 on the Putting Average list, is just five spots from being the lowest on the PGA TOUR. Sabbatini is also one of the tops on TOUR for having the least amount of putts per round so, if possible, it looks like he should be the one taking the key putts.
Match outlook: Both teams have familiarity to fall back on, but expect the South African duo with a win under their belt from their World Cup pairings to complement each other and win the battle.
Projected outcome: International Team wins

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Match #4
David Toms (0-0-0, 2-7-0) and Jim Furyk (0-0-0, 10-6-2) vs. Ernie Els (0-0-0, 10-8-2) and Angel Cabrera (0-0-0, 1-1-3)
U.S. analysis:
Toms and Furyk have played together once before, losing to Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood in Four-Ball at the 2004 Ryder Cup. Both are quietly playing well this year. Toms has seven top-10s while Furyk has nine, including a successful defense of his title at the Canadian Open presented by Franklin Templeton Investments -- which could swing some of the crowd to the Americans' favor.
U.S. key statistic: Mickelson hasn't played well since winning the Deutsche Bank and can be erratic off the tee. And Austin isn't his old 2005 partner DiMarco. He's as dogged as DiMarco and he's playing well, but will the chemistry be there?
International analysis:
The two players are well-matched off the tee. Furyk averages 279 yards while Toms hits it about 5 yards farther on average. Approach shots are another of Furyk's strengths -- he ranks fourth in greens in regulation -- and the Americans, who will be hitting first most of the time, must capitalize and give each other birdie opportunities.
International key statistic: Both men average around 300 yards off the tee with Els at 297 yards and Cabrera at 303. Finding the fairway is neither's forte, but Royal Montreal's rough shouldn't be a problem for the strong International duo. Els holds the edge in hitting greens in regulation and making putts when he gets there, so look for him to set the tone.
Match outlook: The Americans should hold the upper hand -- if only because they look to be the most consistent of the two teams. If the big-hitting Internationals can find a rhythm, though, the match could swing in their favor.
Projected outcome: U.S. Team wins

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Match #5
Lucas Glover (0-0-0, 0-0-0) and Scott Verplank (0-0-0, 2-2-0) vs. Stuart Appleby (0-0-0,3-11-2) and Retief Goosen (0-0-0, 9-5-1)
U.S. analysis:
Captain Jack Nicklaus has gone with youth and experience in this match up. While Glover is a Presidents Cup rookie, Verplank brings a 2-2-0 record to the table, having played for the winning American team in 2005. Verplank has always been a grinder and that should help ease Glover who gets frustrated with himself quite easily.
U.S. key statistic:
Glover can hit the ball long and Verplank can roll the rock. Both players rank in the top 40 in those respective categories on TOUR. While being in play and making putts is always at a premium, it's especially important in this alternate-shot format.
International analysis:
You're not likely to find two more experienced Presidents Cuppers than Appleby and Goosen. Appleby is making his fifth start in these matches, while Goosen is making his fourth. Appleby has been there many times in the majors and Goosen has two U.S. Opens to his credit. Both players are capable of getting it done when the heat is on.
International key statistic: There's no doubt that Appleby's experience should help him, but a quick look at his Presidents Cup record -- 3-11-2 -- would suggest that maybe experience isn't everything. Goosen on the other hand, enters with a 9-5-1 record.
Match outlook: This should be a close match. But, Glover couldn't really ask for a better partner to have by his side to get his Presidents Cup feet wet than Verplank. Appleby and Goosen will be tough and it could come down to the final hole.
Projected outcome: U.S. Team wins

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Match #6
Tiger Woods (0-0-0, 10-9-1) and Charles Howell III (0-0-0, 3-2-0) vs. K.J. Choi (0-0-0, 2-3-0) and Nick O'Hern (0-0-0, 2-3-0)
U.S. analysis:
Woods has had his best success in alternate shot, and two of those victories in the format were achieved with Howell at his side in the 2003 matches in South Africa. Florida neighbors and power players, Woods and Howell will be formidable for any opponents, whom Captain Jack Nicklaus paired together to allow Howell to get off to a fast start.
U.S. key statistic: Woods leads the TOUR in greens in regulation. Howell ranks 150th in putting average (which is a gauge of putts on greens hit in regulation). Howell needs to finish off the hole when Woods sets him up.
International analysis: O'Hern can handle Woods in singles, but he'll have to find similar magic with Choi, who has had an excellent season on the PGA TOUR, but wasn't much of a factor in foursomes in the '05 Presidents Cup. Choi should be the leader of this pairing, but O'Hern may take the reins given.
International key statistic: Choi ranked ninth on the PGA TOUR this season in scoring average, and a big reason was his strong par-4 scoring average, which is a plus on a par-70 course like Royal Montreal.
Match outlook: The obvious storyline here is Woods having a chance to get a piece of O'Hern, albeit only half a piece since it's alternate shot. O'Hern has two wins over Woods in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, but this is team golf, and Team USA's fortunes will ride on Howell more than Woods.
Projected outcome: U.S. Team wins

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STANDINGS
Results Points
US TEAM 19.5
INTERNATIONAL TEAM 14.5
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