Being European 'n'all, the Presidents Cup doesn't do it for me like the Ryder Cup. Strikes me as a consolation event for those golfers not privileged to be from the upper-right-hand-side of the Atlantic. This awkward concept of an "international" side inevitably lacking the cohesive strength the Europeans can muster is one reason the Americans get to show they're not such bad team players after all.
Which is why I find it surprising how many pundits are fingering the Internationals as favourites this week. One report had the Americans as underdog to a "potent" International squad virtually on home territory, even though it's a hop, skip and jump away from good 'ole Yewesovay. It's certainly not the way the market sees it, making the Americans favourites at 1.7 to just under 2.4 for the Internationals. It's not how I see it either, but I add one caveat. I steer clear of putting money on these events because they have a habit of biting me on the bum.
But compare the tournament records of all the players this season and see who leads the stats for just about every discipline except, surprisingly, distance off the tee - where Tiger Woods is the only American in the top seven on recent performance - and the Americans have it by a country mile. They have also developed the handy habit of dominating this event, although admittedly the last two have been nail-biters.
The Internationals do have a few things going for them, one being that domination of the distance chart on a course with generous fairways and mild rough. And rather like the Darren Clarke card for the Europeans last year, playing local hero Mike Weir could come good not so much for his own play, but for getting the locals behind the team. Emotion can be a big element in these things.
I still think the Americans should take it, with Tiger in excellent form, Phil Mickelson playing some of his best golf, Scott Verplank back to something he loves doing, and at least three other players - Steve Stricker, Hunter Mahan and Woody Austin - in the prime of their careers.
As for today's foursomes, here's to (most probably foolishly) sticking my neck out:
Woods-Howell v Choi-O'Hern: This format does not suit Tiger and he's with, on paper, one of the weakest players in the American side. Nick O'Hern has stuffed Tiger twice in match play, but I don't think that is as important as his pairing with the inestimable K J Choi. I still go for the Americans though because Tiger is going to love this generous course and its excellent greens.
Mickelson-Austin v Singh-Weir: The Internationals should be wary of baiting Mickelson too much - shades of Rory Sabbatini calling out Tiger if you ask me. And while Vijay Singh has made his dislike of Mickelson abundantly clear, he can't deny the American's superior game this season. Weir has an excellent PC record against Mickelson too, but that was then and, with a fiery Austin at Lefty's side, I give this to the Americans.
Cink-Johnson v Sabbatini-Immelman: I'm taking the rampant Rory to lead his struggling fellow-countryman to victory.
Glover-Verplank v Goosen-Appleby: Verplank loves these competitions and I go for him leading his side to victory over two Internationals playing poorly of late.
Toms-Furyk v Els-Cabrera: David Toms looks the weakest link for the American side and it could come down to whether Jim Furyk's putter can get a bit hotter than of late, but Ernie Els gives the Internationals the edge here.
Stricker-Mahan v Ogilvy-Scott: too close to call because all four are excellent in-form players, but I've flipped the coin for the Americans being slightly hotter.
But remember kids, it's just for fun.
Meanwhile, over at the Viking Classic, I'm not at all convinced by Carl Pettersson as the tournament favourite after his awful slump last Sunday. I would at least have thought John Senden was worthy of being priced closer to him after coming third last week. And given the legion of lean and hungry challengers jostling to save their careers, both are going to have to go some to get a win here.
Others to consider include Heath Slocum, a winner here two years ago, Bo van Pelt, who has a decent track record on the course, and Charlie Wi on a course that suits his game.
The form book also throws up Cameron Beckman and Alex Cejka as possibles while, if he's not too exhausted from last week's exertions, Michael Allen boasts some of the best stats around.
But I'll be leaving this one alone as an in-play interest. Being a decidedly second string event, there's precious little information available, virtually no live coverage, and hardly any money swilling around.
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