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Expert Picks: The Presidents Cup

T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
American Pick: Steve Stricker
Steve Stricker will be the man of the matches for the U.S. team. This guy has just been unbelievable lately and a spot on the U.S. team is icing on the cake and I expect him to take full advantage of the opportunity he's created for himself. Plus, there's a good chance he could be paired with his buddy Tiger Woods. The two spent some time playing together in both the BMW Championship and THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola because of their FedExCup standing -- Woods was the eventual winner and Stricker took second. Stricker is back and better than ever.

International Pick: Mike Weir
The only Canadian on the International side, playing in his homeland with the support of an entire nation, Weir should be a force this week. As if playing for his country weren't enough, Weir might feel as though he owes one to Captain Gary Player, since he's on the team as a captain's selection. Weir's face is all over Montreal right now and the Nordiques would love nothing more than to see the Presidents Cup come down to a singles match between Weir and Woods on Sunday.

Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
American Pick: Scott Verplank
An unassuming stalwart on a roster of stars, he's got the temperament to team with anyone in foursomes and four-ball and is a formidable singles foe. He won the 2001 Canadian Open at this club and the Blue Course's short-ish length (7,153 yards) does not penalize him. You do realize he's had seven top-10 finishes on TOUR since the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, right?

International Pick: Rory Sabbatini
He is perhaps the only other guy on the planet who is hotter than Scott Verplank since late spring, discounting perennial worldbeater Tiger Woods (and if captains Player and Jack Nicklaus don't figure out how to put those two guys against each other in singles this week won't have nearly as much fireworks as promised). Sabbatini has the enthusiasm to carry through his inaugural Presidents Cup start as a team leader even if the vets struggle in leading by example. As with Verplank, the course's shorter length will not penalize (he's 83rd on TOUR in driving distance at 289.9 yards) and his ability to make birdies (20.75 percent of holes, ranked 17th on TOUR) is a big boost in match play.

Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
American Pick: Steve Stricker
One of the nicest guys on the PGA TOUR, Stricker's runner-up finish in the FedExCup couldn't have happened to a better person. And, after being the Cinderella story of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, what could be better icing on Sticker's 2007 cake than being the MVP of The Presidents Cup? It was way back in 1996 when Stricker last played in the event and logged a two-win, three-loss record, so if Stricker were to sink the clinching putt a la Chris DiMarco in 2005, it'd be the perfect way to cap his comeback.

International Pick: Mike Weir
This is completely a sentimental pick and, I have to admit, it would make our job of writing stories pretty darn easy since Weir is the darling of the Canadian nation. In fact, the story practically writes itself: Weir lobbies to have the tournament in Canada, barely plays his way onto the team after struggling with a swing change but figuring it out in time to become a Captain's Pick, then sinks a putt on the 18th green to give the International team a victory. That would be a dream come true to Weir's diehard Canadian contingent.

Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
American Pick: Steve Stricker
Have you got a better way to finish off one helluva season? Tiger's your pick at a major. Or, as a partner. But for me, it came down to Stricker or Scott Verplank for this one. Verplank is so way tough in these things its scary. (Yes, I'm biased) And, yes, it would be a great finish for him, too. But Stricker's riding a confidence high you just can't ignore.

International Pick: Geoff Ogilvy
Yes, Canadian Mike Weir will have an impact. So will the Big Easy, whose absence last time around was so noticed. But it'll be the Aussie rookie who shines. Great match play record -- don't think for a minute he believes it's only for one week in February. He has a strong record this year and a U.S. Open trophy on the mantle. Ogilvy's clutch.

Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
American Pick: Steve Stricker
Only one man played better down the stretch than the 2006 Comeback Player of the Year. And we're seen that Tiger Woods hasn't always fared well in team competitions.

International Pick: Geoff Ogilvy
Had a solid run down the stretch with three top 10s in his last five events. Likes a big stage and has the kind of putting stroke that is made for match play.

John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor
American Pick: Tiger Woods
Surely after the thrashing the U.S. Team took in Ireland a year ago they are out for a little redemption. Obviously, some of the principles are different -- and the competition carries a different flag -- but the concept is the same. Tiger Woods finally steps up and approaches International Team competition the same way that he does everything else. He is 45-under par in his last eight rounds. Every player on both teams has taken a beating from Tiger this year. Look for him to step up and make Old Glory proud.

International Pick: Mike Weir
The man who has already had the greatest impact on these President Cup matches is Canada's own Mike Weir. Mike is as big in Canada as Tiger and Furyk put together. Other than the great one, Wayne Gretzky, Mike is the man. Without Mike,the Canadian fans may have been neutral. With Mike they will be rooting on their hero and his teammates. He may not win the most points on his team but every point the Internationals win has a little maple leaf on it.

Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
American Pick: Tiger Woods
I know he hasn't always risen to the occasion in international team competition the way he has as an individual, but Tiger Woods' record has improved with each Presidents Cup. He's obviously playing well, too, with four wins in his last five starts. Woods can't go it alone at The Presidents Cup, though, and perhaps the key is that his teammates are more comfortable playing with him now.

International Pick: Ernie Els
Els missed the 2005 matches after injuring his knee in a boating accident, which led U.S. Captain Jack Nicklaus to joke Tuesday that he would be taking the affable South African rafting this week. The Internationals are glad to have him back this year, and Els comes to Royal Montreal playing well with 10 top-10s around the world, including a tie for fourth at the first event in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup four weeks ago. Look for him to step up this week.

Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
American Pick: Scott Verplank
A relatively short layout with tough greens seems to be right in his wheelhouse. He proved that in 2001 when he won the Canadian Open here.

International Pick: Mike Weir
Some have questioned his selection as one of Gary Player's Captain's Picks, but not this corner, which believes the left-handed Canadian will rise to the occasion for the home crowd. He'll prove he belongs.