Issues are coming all the way down to the wire on the Presidents Cup.
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MONTREAL — The matches are getting smaller on the Presidents Cup, which solely means one factor: the stakes are getting bigger.
After a tense Saturday showdown at Royal Montreal, we’ve formally made it to the highest-stakes second of the week: the Sunday Singles matches.
Twelve golfers will go off in one-on-one matches on Sunday with a whopping 12 factors on the road — almost half the purpose complete for the whole Presidents Cup. The principles are easy: every match is price a degree, and the primary staff to fifteen.5 wins the Cup. (The present rating is Individuals 11, Internationals 7.)
After a noticeably chippy (and, at occasions, chilly) Saturday in Montreal, we flip our consideration to Sunday with bated breath. Singles matches are historically the time within the schedule most apt to ship high-octane leisure, and with tensions already simmering, that leisure may be even spicier than ordinary.
Beneath, we rank all 12 singles matches on Sunday by our personal (extremely subjective) measure of must-watchability. You possibly can tune into the motion from noon-6 p.m. ET on NBC.
Rating all 12 Presidents Cup singles matches by must-watchability
12. Brian Harman vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (2:07 p.m.)
The penultimate match of this Presidents Cup options two of the least-seen members of every staff: Brian Harman for the Individuals (0-2-0 to date), and Christiaan Bezuidenhout for the Internationals (1-1-0). Harman has a legendary observe file as a U.S. Walker Cupper, and he’ll be seeking to get well from two largely dreadful alternate shot performances; whereas Bezuidenhout was a part of the massive Worldwide alternate shot wave on Friday however sat out the whole thing of Saturday’s marathon session.
11. Sahith Theegala vs. Byeong Hun An (1:43 p.m.)
Sahith Theegala has been one of many Individuals’ most excitable rookies this week (Freudian … or ought to we are saying Mongolian slips apart), whereas Ben An has quietly been a powerful drive on the Worldwide aspect. We didn’t hear from both participant on Saturday, however on Sunday, this match is in prime place to resolve the event.
10. Tony Finau vs. Corey Conners (1:19 p.m.)
Conners is certain to have the Canadian trustworthy in full drive, whereas Finau has confirmed virtually impervious to trash talkers. The power can be excessive right here, although the placing won’t be fairly.
9. Wyndham Clark vs. Min Woo Lee (1:31 p.m.)
Lee has been one of many shock ghosts of this yr’s Presidents Cup, not enjoying in a single match since a gap four-ball loss alongside countryman Adam Scott. Mike Weir admitted Saturday that he’d hoped to get the younger Australian extra concerned, however the playing cards didn’t fall Lee’s means after beginning the week with arguably the occasion’s greatest haircut. He’ll look to get the gang electrified — and perhaps show Weir improper — together with his efficiency on Sunday.
On the opposite aspect, Wyndham Clark has been the image of common in his Workforce USA profession, following up a 1-1-1 efficiency on the ’23 Ryder Cup with a 1-2-0 efficiency in Montreal. One other victory would carry him again to a fair .500 for his Workforce USA profession, which in some way feels completely affordable.
8. Max Homa vs. Mackenzie Hughes (2:19 p.m.)
This rating is extra about schedule slot than high quality of opponent. The ultimate match of the 2024 Presidents Cup pits a man who’s performed means higher than his 0-2-0 file suggests (Max Homa) towards a man who’s performed means higher than his 1-2-0 file suggests (Mackenzie Hughes). The 2 golfers have introduced numerous power this week, and, if the Cup comes all the way down to them, might depart me wanting fairly silly for rating them this low.
7. Patrick Cantlay vs. Taylor Pendrith (12:50 p.m.)
The man who couldn’t purchase a putt on Saturday (Pendrith) towards the man who couldn’t miss (Cantlay). What might presumably go improper? In all seriousness, although, with Cantlay morphing into a full-blown apex predator within the greatest moments underneath the U.S. flag, this one might mark the emergence of a brand new Captain America. That’s well worth the worth of admission alone.
6. Xander Schauffele vs. Jason Day (12:02 p.m.)
The first match of Sunday pits arguably the Individuals’ greatest participant at this Cup (Xander Schauffele) towards arguably the Internationals’ most shocking chief (Jason Day). Each golfers have performed impressed golf all week, and this one units as much as be a flusher’s paradise. In each sense of the phrase, it’s a tone-setter for what’s to return.
5. Russell Henley vs. Sungjae Im (12:38 p.m.)
A lot of the finishers on this checklist fall into the what might be class; this one falls squarely within the what has already been. Henley and Im have been a part of a chilly handshake on the finish of a slugfest in Saturday alternate shot. With Im arriving as a licensed flusher and Henley enjoying one of the best golf of his life, the fireworks really feel virtually assured.
4. Keegan Bradley vs. Si Woo Kim (1:02 p.m.)
The longer term lifeblood of the Individuals towards the current lifeblood of the Internationals. It’s a match that wants no introduction, although I do concern how Keegan’s New England roots will reply to a yuppie celebration like Si Woo’s “night-night.” Put together your popcorn.
3. Collin Morikawa vs. Adam Scott (1:55 p.m.)
Collin Morikawa has quietly had a fairly dominant week in Montreal (he’s 3-1-1), which caps off a season through which he was quietly probably the most dominant gamers on the planet. On Sunday, he can get the exclamation level his PGA Tour common season was lacking towards Adam Scott, the chief of this Worldwide aspect.
Morikawa must be cautious although, Scott has been enjoying good golf, and he’ll be a powerful out with the Cup on the road.
2. Sam Burns vs. Tom Kim (12:14 p.m.)
Burns, the man who stated he doesn’t thoughts yelling again on the haters, and Tom Kim, the man who has by no means as soon as minded stirring up the haters in Montreal. After Kim’s sportsmanship feedback towards the Individuals on Saturday night, this one may have numerous further consideration, and Kim’s admission that he’s “so motivated” to seize a win on Sunday means the fireworks are coming.
1. Scottie Scheffler vs. Hideki Matsuyama (12:26 p.m.)
Contemplating each of those golfers are one of the best gamers on their respective groups, this match is a real heavyweight bout. Contemplating the best way their match ended on Saturday — with Scheffler, the World No. 1, hanging on the rim after a proverbial Tomahawk dunk — the rematch on Sunday is certain to be further spicey. And contemplating the best way the half-hour earlier than that match ended went, you possibly can guess Scottie is exhibiting up with a bee in his bonnet.
In different phrases: Maintain onto your butts, of us, this one is gonna be a doozy.
