Power Rankings: The Presidents Cup

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SAN FRANCISCO -- This week's eighth renewal of The Presidents Cup is shaping up to be a classic David vs. Goliath struggle.

One American comes to Harding Park with as many wins in 2009 as the entire International Team combined. He also happens to have just won the FedExCup for the second time in three years and is the No. 1 player in the world.

Tiger Woods isn't the United States' only threat, though. Three Americans are ranked among the top five in the world while only one member of the International Team, Geoff Ogilvy, cracks the top 10.

The U.S. already owns a dominating 5-1-1 record in this biennial match play competition -- losing only in Australia in 1998. Can the International Team buck the odds and win on American soil for the first time?

PGATOUR.COM ranks the 24 players on both teams so you can make your own predictions.

U.S. TEAM: Analysis | Previews | Why U.S. will win | Exclusive Q&A with Michael Jordan
INT'L TEAM: Analysis | Previews | Why Int'ls will win | Surprise pick Scott eager to play well
MORE POWER RANKINGS: Brian Wacker discusses this week's top players

Power Rankings: The Presidents Cup

Rank Player   Comment Tiger WOODS (U.S.) Need we say more? He has only finished lower than 10th twice in stroke play events this year -- and one of those was a tie for 11th. He doesn't like to lose, either, and that makes him a great team player. Phil MICKELSON (U.S.) He's coming off a win at East Lake and a closing 65 that he says was among his best rounds in a three-win year. He's got confidence in his putter again, which is a huge plus in match play but a balky back could be a factor. Steve STRICKER (U.S.) The No. 3 ranked player in the world, Stricker had a win, his third of the season, and a T2 in the Playoffs. Consistency has been the hallmark of his year, and that shouldn't change this week. Ernie ELS (Int'l) He's been blogging this summer about how close he is to breaking out -- and Captain Norman needs the Big Easy to step up. Els has four top-10s in his last seven starts, including two in majors, so he certainly has form. Jim FURYK (U.S.) This U.S. Cup veteran is still looking for his first win of 2009 but he did have top-10s in the last three Playoffs events. He's the consummate team player who could partner a variety of players successfully. Geoff OGILVY (Int'l) The Aussie played his best golf early in '09 when he won twice in his first five starts. But he loves the camaraderie this week and is too good not to get things in gear. Plus, he has two Accenture Match Play wins. Vijay SINGH (Int'l) The man who won the 2008 FedExCup didn't make it to East Lake in '09. But the inveterate range rat has had two weeks to shore up his game, and no one has more experience than the big Fijian who has played in every Cup. Sean O'HAIR (U.S.) Yes, he's a rookie but he's not one to get star-struck, even when he's playing for the red-white-and-blue. He had a T3 at East Lake and won for the third time earlier this year, plus that putting tip from Woods can't hurt. Retief GOOSEN (Int'l) This steady-eddy veteran from South Africa will be an asset to Norman. He won earlier in the season, ending a four-year drought, and his 11-7-2 Presidents Cup record is one of the best on the team. Stewart CINK (U.S.) That British Open victory turned what was shaping up to be an otherwise lackluster season around. Cink made it through all four Playoffs events, too, although he needs to get the putter in gear. Kenny PERRY (U.S.) Perry carries a heavy burden after the death of his mother last Thursday. How he'll respond is anyone's guess, but this three-time winner in 2009 will certainly have his teammates' support. Zach JOHNSON (U.S.) In the last eight weeks, he's shown signs of regaining the form that propelled him to two wins in the first five months of '09. It's his third Cup, and he has a steady game that makes him a sought-after partner. Angel CABRERA (Int'l) Two majors in three years -- including a Masters playoff win -- show the Argentine brings a lot to the table. He's an exciting, albeit sometimes erratic, player who can benefit from a confident partner. Lucas GLOVER (U.S.) Glover, a Captain's pick, had a solid summer that included his first major when he won the U.S. Open. Making the U.S. Team was a huge goal -- don't be surprised to see him respond in his second appearance. Hunter MAHAN (U.S.) Had Mahan, who went undefeated during last year's Ryder Cup, made a stronger Playoffs run, he would have earned a higher ranking. Two of his six top-10s came in majors, and Mahan's only missed one cut all year. Mike WEIR (Int'l) Weir has a solid Presidents Cup record at 11-7-1 and a game that fits with many. That said, he had a runner-up finish and a tie for third in his first three starts of 2009 but nothing higher than 10th since. Anthony KIM (U.S.) His season has been disappointing, although to expect him to top 2008's two wins admittedly was a big ask. Kim was a linchpin for the U.S. in last year's Ryder Cup debut, though, so he certainly knows the drill. Justin LEONARD (U.S.) He gave himself a leg up for the U.S. Team when he picked up his 12th win last year and finished 10th or higher eight times. He hasn't had a top-10 since Turnberry but Leonard brings the experience of eight Cups. Y.E. YANG (Int'l) It's hard to predict how this Korean rookie will play, especially with the language barrier. But he's won twice in '09, including the PGA Championship where he played with Woods on Sunday, so he's no shrinking violet. Camilo VILLEGAS (Int'l) Like Kim, Villegas has had a hard time measuring up to last year's success that included wins in the final two Playoffs events. The Presidents Cup rookie's last top-10 did come in his title defense at the BMW Champ. Robert ALLENBY (Int'l) He's only had three top-10s this year -- the last coming against a world-class field at the Bridgestone Invitational. Tee to green he's as strong as anyone but a balky putter has been his nemesis. Tim CLARK (Int'l) The South African is a veteran of two Cups and his fairways-and-greens game should make him a solid partner. He nearly picked up his first TOUR win in '09, losing in a playoff, but hasn't had a top-10 since. Adam SCOTT (Int'l) After a season with just one top-10 in January, Scott was a bit of a controversial Captain's Pick by his mentor Norman. He showed something last week at Turning Stone, though, so maybe he'll prove everyone wrong. Ryo ISHIKAWA (Int'l) The 18-year-old certainly has game with four wins on the Japan Tour this year. He's poised, too, but could be a few years away from really having an impact on the world stage.