TIM CLARK
MIKE WEIR |
ANTHONY KIM
PHIL MICKELSON |
Match time: 3:10 p.m. ET; 12:10 p.m. (local)
Presidents Cup records: Mike Weir (11-7-1 overall, 3-4-1 Foursomes); Tim Clark (4-5-1, 1-3-0); Phil Mickelson (11-13-9 overall, 5-6-2 Foursomes); Anthony Kim (0-0-0, 0-0-0).
International analysis: Captain Greg Norman made the first pick when the Americans, as the defending champs, deferred. Weir wanted to go out in the first group, and Norman made that happen. Clark and Weir each average 278 yards off the tee, so they'll be familiar with the approach shots. Clark has been steadier this year, ranking fourth in driving accuracy and 63rd in GIR to 110th and 164th, respectively, for Weir. So look for the South African to give this team a lift. Seeing blue on the scoreboard early will be critical for the Internationals, too.
U.S. analysis: This pairing was a no-brainer for U.S. Captain Fred Couples. The two Americans went 1-1-1 together at last year's Ryder Cup and both are comfortable in the leadoff spot. Theyre exciting players who won't get rattled if the other leaves them in a less than stellar spot. Finding fairways isn't either's forte -- Kim ranks 183rd and Mickelson 187th -- although the veteran does manage to reach more greens in regulation. Kim's putting stats are better -- he ranks second in birdies -- but Mickelson had an epiphany working with Dave Stockton the week before he won THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. |
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ADAM SCOTT
ERNIE ELS |
HUNTER MAHAN
SEAN O'HAIR |
Match time: 3:22 p.m. ET; 12:22 p.m. (local)
Presidents Cup records: Adam Scott (7-6-2 overall, 3-2-1 Foursomes); Ernie Els (13-10-2 overall, 4-5-1 Foursomes); Hunter Mahan (2-3-0 overall, 2-0-0 Foursomes); Sean O'Hair (0-0-0, 0-0-0).
International analysis: Scott and Els have history as a team. The two have played three Foursomes matches together and won two of them. After a fairly solid performance at the Turning Stone Resort Championship, Scott doesn't seem quite as suspect a Captain's Pick as he did three weeks ago -- but he still has something to prove. With three top-10s in his last seven starts, including two in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, Els should be the steadying influence in this group.
U.S. analysis: These two 27-year-olds used to play a lot of junior golf together. So maybe it's only fitting that Mahan will partner O'Hair in his Presidents Cup debut. Mahan has done everything but win this year while O'Hair picked up his third career victory and is coming off a pair of top-four finishes in the Playoffs. Both are hitting more than 68 percent of their greens in regulation so there should be opportunities for birdies. Mahan is undefeated in a quartet of Foursomes matches at the last two Cup matches, so he must be doing something right. |
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VIJAY SINGH
ROBERT ALLENBY |
LUCAS GLOVER
STEWART CINK |
Match time: 3:34 p.m. ET; 12:34 p.m. (local)
Presidents Cup records: Vijay Singh (14-15-6 overall, 5-6-3 Foursomes); Robert Allenby (6-11-2 overall, 2-5-1 Foursomes); Lucas Glover 2-3-0 overall, 2-0-0 Foursomes); Stewart Cink (8-4-1 overall, 4-1-0 Foursomes<
International analysis: Tee to green, Allenby is among the best on either team. His putter has let him down this year, though -- he ranks 189th in putting and 161st in birdies. That has been Singh's nemesis, too, with his corresponding stats 167th and 112th. Off the tee, they'll be compatible, though, and they're accurate with the irons. Plus, there should be a comfort zone since they've played four Presidents Cups together.
U.S. analysis: This duo played together in the 2007 Presidents Cup and lost their only match, a Four-ball contest with Geoff Ogilvy and Nick O'Hern. Two years later at Harding Park, the two good friends are back-to-back major champions after Glover won the U.S. Open and Cink the British Open. Both have solid Foursomes records; this could be a solid team. |
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ANGEL CABRERA
CAMILO VILLEGAS |
KENNY PERRY
ZACH JOHNSON |
Match time: 3:46 p.m. ET; 12:46 p.m. (local)
Presidents Cup records: Angel Cabrera (3-3-3 overall, 1-2-0 Foursomes); Camilo Villegas (0-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 Foursomes); Kenny Perry (7-6-0 overall, 3-2-0 Foursomes); Zach Johnson (2-2-0 overall, 2-0-0 Foursomes)
International analysis: Pairing the two South Americans was probably an easy decision for Norman. Villegas, who was born in Colombia, is fluent in English but Cabrera is more comfortable speaking in his native Spanish. Not to mention, the big-hitting Cabrera, who won the Masters earlier this year, is playing in his third Presidents Cup while this is Villegas' first. He's not the type of player to be intimidated, though.
U.S. analysis: Between them, Johnson and Perry have four wins in 2009 so you know they are doing something right. Johnson is extremely accurate off the tee and both hit lots of greens. Getting between the ropes should be a positive for Perry, who lost his mother last week and is playing at his family's urging. At 49, he's the oldest player on the team and may not have many more Cup opportunities, so he's sure to savor this. |
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GEOFF OGILVY
RYO ISHIKAWA |
TIGER WOODS
STEVE STRICKER |
Match time: 3:58 p.m. ET; 12:58 p.m. (local)
Presidents Cup records: Geoff Ogilvy (2-3-0 overall, 0-2-0 Foursomes); Ryo Ishikawa (0-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 Foursomes); Tiger Woods (13-11-1 overall, 7-2-1 Foursomes); Steve Stricker (5-5-0 overall, 2-2-0 Foursomes)
International analysis: This one should be big for TV ratings in Japan, where the 18-year-old Ishikawa has won four times this year, including last Sunday to further validate Greg Norman's unconventional Captain's Pick. Norman said Ogilvy wanted to play with the teen prodigy at some point during the week. So putting the experienced and laid-back Aussie out to steady the rookie in his debut may turn out to be an inspired choice.
U.S. analysis: Woods has been saying for weeks that he wanted to play with Stricker and -- surprise, surprise -- the world No. 1 got his wish. We all know he plays better in this format when he has a comfort zone. The two are well-acquainted with each other's games, too, after playing seven rounds together during the Playoffs. They each won once during that stretch (and also combined for three seconds), so this should be a formidable pairing. |
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RETIEF GOOSEN
Y.E. YANG |
JIM FURYK
JUSTIN LEONARD |
Match time: 4:10 p.m. ET; 1:10 p.m. (local)
Presidents Cup records: Retief Goosen (11-7-2 overall, 2-5-1 Foursomes); Y.E. Yang (0-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 Foursomes); Jim Furyk (13-8-2 overall, 4-3-2 Foursomes); Justin Leonard (6-10-2 overall, 3-3-2 Foursomes)
International analysis: Again, Norman has partnered one of his most experienced players in Goosen with a rookie in Yang. The South Korean does bring form to the table, though, with two wins in 2009, including the PGA Championship. Driving accuracy could be an issue with neither player ranked higher than 129th on TOUR but Yang's iron play has been solid. The self-deprecating Goosen joked that Yang would be "carrying me around the golf course" but the South African has one win this year and nearly picked up a second before losing in a playoff so don't be fooled.
U.S. analysis: Furyk and Leonard have a 1-1 record together in Foursomes, dating back to the 2003 Presidents Cup. Neither veteran has won this year but their fairways-and-greens games are extremely compatible. Furyk reeled off three straight top-10s to end the Playoffs so he's definitely hitting on all cylinders. This pairing won't panic bringing up the rear, either. |
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