Rating all 12 Presidents Cup singles matches by must-watchability

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 — practically half the purpose whole for the complete Presidents Cup. The principles are easy: every match is value some extent, 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 could be even spicier than normal.

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 so far), and Christiaan Bezuidenhout for the Internationals (1-1-0). Harman has a legendary monitor document as a U.S. Walker Cupper, and he’ll be seeking to recuperate from two principally dreadful alternate shot performances; whereas Bezuidenhout was a part of the large Worldwide alternate shot wave on Friday however sat out the whole lot 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 robust 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 devoted in full drive, whereas Finau has confirmed nearly impervious to trash talkers. The vitality might 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 taking part in 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 method after beginning the week with arguably the occasion’s finest haircut. He’ll look to get the gang electrified — and possibly show Weir fallacious — together with his efficiency on Sunday.

On the opposite aspect, Wyndham Clark has been the image of common in his Staff 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 deliver him again to a good .500 for his Staff USA profession, which in some way feels completely cheap.

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 method higher than his 0-2-0 document suggests (Max Homa) towards a man who’s performed method higher than his 1-2-0 document suggests (Mackenzie Hughes). The 2 golfers have introduced numerous vitality this week, and, if the Cup comes right down to them, may depart me trying 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 may presumably go fallacious? In all seriousness, although, with Cantlay morphing into a full-blown apex predator within the largest moments below the U.S. flag, this one may mark the emergence of a brand new Captain America. That’s definitely worth the value of admission alone.

6. Xander Schauffele vs. Jason Day (12:02 p.m.)

The first match of Sunday pits arguably the Individuals’ finest participant at this Cup (Xander Schauffele) towards arguably the Internationals’ most stunning 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 come back.

5. Russell Henley vs. Sungjae Im (12:38 p.m.)

Many of the finishers on this record fall into the what may very well be class; this one falls squarely within the what has already been. Henley and Im had been a part of a chilly handshake on the finish of a slugfest in Saturday alternate shot. With Im arriving as an authorized flusher and Henley taking part in the most effective golf of his life, the fireworks really feel nearly 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 worry 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 by which he was quietly one of the vital 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 ought to be cautious although, Scott has been taking part in sensible golf, and he’ll be a robust out with the Cup on the road.

2. Sam Burns vs. Tom Kim (12:14 p.m.)

Burns, the man who mentioned 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 could 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 the most effective 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 may guess Scottie is displaying up with a bee in his bonnet.

In different phrases: Maintain onto your butts, of us, this one is gonna be a doozy.

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a information and options editor at GOLF, writing tales for the web site and journal. He manages the Sizzling Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and makes use of his on-camera expertise throughout the model’s platforms. Previous to becoming a member of GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse College, throughout which era he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Lengthy Island, the place he’s from. He could be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.