Presidents Cup: Match previews for Day 4

PRESIDENTS CUP: Scoring |Day 3 match recaps | Quiz: Which team should you support?

MATCH 19

ABRAHAM ANCER (INTERNATIONAL) vs. TIGER WOODS (USA)

Overview: We know why Tiger’s going out first – he wants to finish so he can assume captain’s duties as quickly as possible on a day that promises to be nip-and-tuck. And we know why Ancer’s going out first – he’s been the hottest player for the International Team, picking up 3.5 points, the most for any player on Els’ team.

Player records: Ancer (3-0-1 overall: 0-0-0 in Singles); Woods (26-15-1 overall; 6-2-0 in Singles)

Mike McAllister’s prediction: USA, 1 up. A great opening match, but Tiger is, well, Tiger.

MATCH 20

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA (INTERNATIONAL) vs. TONY FINAU (USA)

Overview: Matsuyama has played well at times, winning two of his three matches, and should be fresh after sitting out Saturday’s Foursomes. Two years ago, he beat Justin Thomas in Singles, albeit in a match with much less pressure due to the Americans’ lopsided margin. Although he’s yet to win a match, Finau has shown a hot putter, and he knocked off Tommy Fleetwood in Singles at last year’s Ryder Cup.

Player records: Matsuyama (6-7-3 overall: 2-1-0 in Singles); Finau (0-1-2 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 1 up. Matsuyama becomes an early boost for Els team but will have to grind against a gritty Finau.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 2 and 1. Matsuyama just a bit more experienced in this environment.

MATCH 21

C.T. PAN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. PATRICK REED (USA)

Overview: Pan has already beaten Reed twice this week, both times in Four-Balls with Matsuyama. Reed is still seeking his first point, one of three Americans who’ve been shut out thus far. He’s faced Louis Oosthuizen in his previous two Singles matches at the Presidents Cup, losing in 2017 and tying in 2015.

Player records: Pan (2-0-0 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles); Reed (4-6-2 overall; 0-1-1 in Singles).

Ben Everill’s prediction: Tie. Reed will harness everything thrown at him and refuse to leave Melbourne without something to his name but Pan will hold fire.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: USA, 2 and 1. Time for Reed to step up as a captain’s pick.

MATCH 22

HAOTONG LI (INTERNATIONAL) vs. DUSTIN JOHNSON (USA)

Overview: Li sat out the first two days and played just one match Saturday, the fewest of anybody on Ernie Els’ roster. So he should be plenty rested to take on the 20-time PGA TOUR winner. Johnson hasn’t exactly had a great week with a 1-2-0 record but he does come off an impressive Foursomes win with Gary Woodland over Louis Oosthuizen/Adam Scott.

Player records: Li (0-1-0 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles); Johnson (9-6-2 overall; 1-1-1 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: U.S. 2 up. Li will surprise a few and take Johnson down the stretch but ultimately the American's experience will win through.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: USA, 4 and 3. Unless Li finds a hot putter, it might be a short match.

MATCH 23

ADAM HADWIN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU (USA)

Overview: Who knows what we’re getting with this match. Hadwin sat out all day Saturday due to food poisoning. DeChambeau has missed the last three sessions after losing his Four-Balls match with partner Tony Finau on Thursday. Hadwin said he’s determined to make amends for 2017; he lost to Phil Mickelson in Singles at Liberty National.

Player records: Hadwin (1-3-1 overall; 0-1-0 in Singles); DeChambeau (0-1-0 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 1 up. Hadwin is a little under the weather but Dechambeau is also out of sorts and still adjusting to his new body.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 3 and 2. Hadwin at least made it to the course to cheer Saturday afternoon, so he should be OK to go.

MATCH 24

SUNGJAE IM (INTERNATIONAL) vs. GARY WOODLAND (USA)

Overview: Woodland has been solid in his first team event, and Woods showed faith in him Saturday afternoon by sending him out first with Dustin Johnson in a win over Oosthuizen and Scott. Im has been more productive with two match wins and a tie in his four outings (and with three different partners). It’s doubtful he’ll show any fatigue on Sunday; after all, he practically plays every week on the PGA TOUR.

Player records: Im (2-1-1 overall, 0-0-0 in Singles). Woodland (1-1-1 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 4 and 3. Im will announce his pending stardom in golf well and truly with a commanding win.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 1 up. A tight match but I like Im on this course.

MATCH 25

JOAQUIN NIEMANN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. PATRICK CANTLAY (USA)

Overview: A pair of Presidents Cup rookies go head to head in the middle of the session. Niemann sits 0-2-1 on the week with the momentum coming late as he and Byeong Hun An came from behind to earn a valuable tie against Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau. Cantlay is 2-2-0 with both his wins coming in Foursomes. Niemann won a Military Tribute to the Greenbrier early this season while Cantlay has two PGA TOUR titles to his name and has a storied history in match play from his amateur days when he was ranked the best in the world.

Player records: Niemann (0-2-1 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles); Cantlay (2-2-0 overall: 0-0-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Tie. Niemann has had his troubles this week but he will shine on Sunday. But Cantlay is dogged and won’t let the point go easy.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: USA, 3 and 2. Cantlay is the perfect middle of the lineup producer.

MATCH 26

ADAM SCOTT (INTERNATIONAL) vs. XANDER SCHAUFFELE (USA)

Overview: The veteran of the International team in his ninth Presidents Cup has the chance to alter his legacy forever by leading his side to the promised land. In the team since 2003, Scott has never won a Cup but has still managed a 16-21-6 record. He faces the brash and impressive Schauffele who has already won four PGA TOUR titles. At 26, the American gives up plenty of experience to the local hero but does not lack tenacity and has fashioned a 2-2-0 record in his Presidents Cup debut. He also thrives as an underdog. Scott though, will have a raucous crowd on his side. This one shapes up as an epic showdown.

Player records: Scott (16-21-6 overall; 5-3-0 in Singles); Schauffele (2-2-0 overall: 0-0-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 1 up. Scott will make just enough critical putts to push away the plucky American in a tight finish.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 1 up. A great match will end with a roar of approval for the Aussie.

MATCH 27

BYEONG HUN AN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. WEBB SIMPSON (USA)

Overview: As a late call up into Ernie Els’ International team An has more than held up his end of the bargain going 1-1-2 while playing all four sessions. He will come into the final day with confidence while Simpson will need to shake off the fact he has yet to post anything towards the U.S. total. The former PLAYERS Champion and U.S. Open winner is 0-3-0 this week across three matches with Patrick Reed. Can he find some magic on his own?

Player records: An (1-1-2 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles); Simpson (5-6-2 overall: 0-1-1 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 3 and 2. An has looked a man possessed at times this week, ready to prove to Els he should have always been on this team.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 1 up. An is going to be a steady performer for the Internationals.

MATCH 28

CAMERON SMITH (INTERNATIONAL) vs. JUSTIN THOMAS (USA)

Overview: Thomas will be seething overnight after letting a 5 up lead turn into a half in his final match on Saturday but he still sits 3-0-1 on the week and has played some stellar golf. He will be asked to provide once more near the end of the lineup against the plucky Smith who will fancy his chances with his local Australian crowd behind him. Smith is 0-1-1 from two Foursomes appearances on debut and itching to prove he can be a bigger part of this team going forward. Thomas is a former FedExCup and major champion who will be trying to silence the locals by extinguishing one of their favorites.

Player records: Smith (0-1-1 overall; 0-0-0 in Singles); Thomas (6-1-2 overall: 0-1-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 1 up. Smith will be the Cup clincher in front of a massive crowd on the 18th green, proving he’s born for this.

MATCH 29

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. MATT KUCHAR (USA)

Overview: A couple of veteran performers who find themselves back loaded and perhaps under incredible pressure. Both can handle that sort of fire. Oosthuizen is in his fourth International team and came into the week in form. Kuchar has played well at Royal Melbourne yet still been unable to secure a win at 0-1-2. He has also never won in four attempts at Singles in the Presidents Cup and is 1-3 in Ryder Cup singles. Oosthuizen is a former major winner, Kuchar a PLAYERS champion and has a WGC – Dell Technologies Match Play title. Both love to smile but only one is likely to be doing so at match end.

Player records: Oosthuizen (9-6-3 overall; 1-0-2 in Singles); Kuchar (6-9-4 overall: 0-4-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 2 and 1. Oosthuizen will bleed for his fellow South African Ernie Els and continue Kuchar’s poor singles record in team competitions.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 2 and 1. Two excellent match play performers, but Oosthuizen just a tad more in form.

MATCH 30

MARC LEISHMAN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. RICKIE FOWLER (USA)

Overview: Els has opted for a local Australian and Melbourne native to anchor his lineup. Leishman may well still be bouncing off the walls after being part of an epic comeback with Abraham Ancer in Foursomes. The pair scratched out a tie despite being 5 down through 10 holes to Justin Thomas and his opponent here Fowler. Can Fowler exact some revenge or will he still be reeling from the whirlwind finish? Fowler is a five-time PGA TOUR winner and former PLAYERS champion. Leishman has four TOUR wins. In three previous Presidents Cups he is undefeated in singles. The pair are mates and their caddies also are tight … perhaps that changes for a few hours Sunday.

Player records: Leishman (4-9-4 overall; 2-0-1 in Singles); Fowler (5-3-3 overall: 1-1-0 in Singles)

Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 2 and 1. Leishman looked out of sorts through most of Saturday but his incredible comeback will ensure he comes out on Sunday in front of his fans ready to rumble.

Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 1 up. If it comes down to this match – and it may very well do so – gotta give it to the home favorite.