The 15th edition of the Presidents Cup kicks off this week at The Royal Montreal Golf Club, with Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Mike “Lil’ Lefty” Weir leading the International team against a formidable U.S. squad captained by bald and beautiful Jim Furyk. Both sides are stacked with talent, but who will rise to the occasion?
Thirty total points are in play Thursday-Sunday, including 12 all-important single matches on Sunday.
Here’s our ranking of the 24 players—12 representing the US, 12 representing the International squad (everywhere else buy Europe)—who will compete for bragging rights, with a mix of current form and past performances driving the list.
24. Mackenzie Hughes – International
A maestro around the greens, Hughes struggled with his ball striking this season. However, his short game magic earned him a captain’s pick, and he’ll be looking to make some noise on home turf in Canada. ‘O’ Canada’ will be ringing through the trees in Montreal when Hughes is draining snakes.
23. Max Homa – USA
Homa’s 2024 campaign was a forgettable one, but his team event record is not. He went undefeated at the 2022 Presidents Cup and has proven himself when it counts, making him a wild card in Montreal. Here’s the catch: after spending most of his season hitting approach shots from the deep lettuce, he’ll need to find enough fairways to make an impact with his balky putter (huh?). Honestly, the guy is a gamer and he was selected to GAME.
22. Christiaan Bezuidenhout – International
Coming off his best PGA Tour season, the South African made the Tour Championship for the first time. Bezuidenhout’s putter is his weapon of choice, but with no wins since 2020, he’s more of a sleeper than a game-changer. And if you can spell his last name correctly, without cheating, we’ll give you a steaming hot serving of Montreal’s finest poutine!
21. Min Woo Lee – International
The Aussie flashes brilliance, but inconsistency has kept him from fully breaking through on the PGA Tour. With four pro wins under his belt (none on U.S. soil), Lee’s potential outweighs his current results. But, but he does have a nice stache reminiscent of exiled fellow countryman Cam Smith.
20. Keegan Bradley – USA
Bradley is hot off a win at the BMW Championship, but the rest of his season was a rollercoaster. Known for his fire and passion in team events, expect him to bring intensity to Montreal. We have no doubt he’s going to hit some laser irons. But will he make enough putts to put pressure on his adversaries? Time will tell.
19. Brian Harman – USA
We love this lefty captain’s pick for the US. After winning his first major in 2023, Harman cooled off this year, with only three top-10s to his name. His Presidents Cup debut will be a chance to turn things around after a middling Ryder Cup performance. He’s a grinder and not afraid of the big stage.
18. Byeong Hun An – International
An had a solid season with nine top-20 finishes, including a trip to the Tour Championship. The South Korean brings steady form and underrated shot-making to the International team. Like Bezuidenhout, if you can spell Ben’s birth first name, you get a healthy serving of poutine.
17. Si Woo Kim – International
Fresh from a top-five at the DP World Tour’s BMW Championship, Kim brings experience with a solid Presidents Cup record (4-3-0). He’s a grinder who could provide key points for the Internationals. But only if the putter doesn’t fail him. From tee-to-green, a world beater. On the greens, he putts like a Korn Ferry Tour journeyman.
16. Tom Kim – International
So cute. So cuddly. So ready to become a top-10 player in the world. The young South Korean struggled to find his groove in 2024, but don’t count him out. With three PGA Tour wins already, Kim has the potential to catch fire at any moment.
15. Taylor Pendrith – International
Pendrith’s breakout 2024 season saw him win his first PGA Tour event and qualify for the Tour Championship. Known for his driving power, his improved putting could help erase memories of a winless 2022 Presidents Cup. And he’s Canadian. Let’s goooo! For the Internationals to have any chance this week, Pendrith needs to win more than he loses and get the crowd all riled up.
14. Jason Day – International
A Presidents Cup veteran, Day hasn’t fared well in this competition (5-11-4), but his 11 PGA Tour wins and elite putting make him a key figure for the Internationals. His leadership could be as valuable as his play. And he’s handsome and wears some of the finest golf shoes in the world from PAYNTR Golf – a beloved partner of B&B.
13. Russell Henley – USA
Henley’s incredible accuracy off the tee and consistency in approach play have long flown under the radar for this diminutive Bulldog. Five top-five finishes in 2024 underscore why he’s a dark horse in this competition. Look for him to make at least 8 birdies in a four-ball match.
12. Sahith Theegala – USA
This event rookie sensation had a stellar 2024 season, capped by eight top-10 finishes. Theegala’s off-the-tee erraticism is balanced by his scrambling skills, making him one to watch in his Presidents Cup debut. Ever since he was featured on Season 1 of Netflix’s docuseries, Full Swing, Sahith has been a fan favorite.
11. Tony Finau – USA
Finau might not have won in 2024, but 15 top-20 finishes prove his steadiness. A veteran of two previous Presidents Cups, his versatility will be a key asset for the U.S. If Finau could putt better than an above-average college standout, he’d be a world beater. Well, this week he doesn’t have to beat the world – just the Internationals.
10. Corey Conners – International
Conners, the top Canadian in the world rankings, is known for his laser-like iron play and disappearance in this event two years ago. He’ll be hoping to improve on a winless 2022 Presidents Cup showing in front of a home crowd. We’re betting on a rebound.
9. Sam Burns – USA
Burns ended his season on a high note with three strong finishes, but he’ll be looking for redemption after a rough debut at the 2022 Presidents Cup. His five PGA Tour wins make him a dangerous opponent. And, let’s not forget that he’s Scheffler’s best friend and likely partner in both four-ball and foursome matches. He’ll win more points for the US this go-around.
8. Wyndham Clark – USA
After a breakthrough season in 2023, Clark kept up his momentum in 2024. A win at Pebble Beach highlights his year, and he’ll be debuting at the Presidents Cup with plenty of confidence. At 30 years-old, he’s in the prime of his career. We expect big things for Wyndham in Montreal this week and on tour in 2025.
7. Patrick Cantlay – USA
Cantlay thrives in the team event spotlight, playing the villain role at the 2023 Ryder Cup. With no weaknesses in his game and strong form, he’ll be one of the pillars of the U.S. team. He may even smile.
6. Sungjae Im – International
Im rebounded from a slow start to 2024, posting seven top-10 finishes in the back half of the season. His consistency and a solid Presidents Cup record (5-3-2) make him a reliable force for the International team. And his teammates love him. Heck, who doesn’t love Im. He’s a top-10 most liked guy on tour for a reason. And he can flat out play.
5. Adam Scott – International
So handsome and debonair. The most experienced player in the competition, Scott will be making his 11th Presidents Cup appearance. The Aussie is in good form, and his leadership will be crucial for the underdog International side. Another average putter in the event, if he can roll the rock like he did over the last month of the season, he’ll pick up crucial points and rally his comrades.
4. Collin Morikawa – USA
Morikawa didn’t win this year, but with six top-five finishes, he remained in the mix at nearly every event. His elite iron play will be critical in match play formats. With that being said, he’ll either go 4-0 or 1-1-2. There is no middle ground for Collin. Our money is on him keeping up his hot play and outdueling his opponents in both the team matches and on Sunday, mano e mano.
3. Hideki Matsuyama – International
Japan’s, and the International squad’s best player by a wide margin, Matsuyama’s two wins in 2024 solidify his standing as one of the top-5 players in the event. His game is peaking at the right time, making him a threat to the Americans. For the International side to have any fighting chance, Ichiban will need to win a minimum of three points before he tees it up Sunday.
2. Xander Schauffele – USA
Schauffele took his game to new heights in 2024, winning both the PGA Championship and The Open. With no weaknesses, he’s poised to be a dominant figure for the U.S. From a fan’s perspective, we want to see Xander paired up with other teammates than just Cantlay. Cantlay is just hard to watch and root for. We want to see Xander’s fighter-mentality and USA spirit in full display and just don’t think he would express that playing alongside Mr. “I only smile when I sleep” Cantlay.
1. Scottie Scheffler – USA
No surprises here—Scheffler is the world’s best player, and he’s nearly unbeatable from tee to green. Hell, he probably also loves poutine. If his putting cooperates even a little, Royal Montreal might just become his personal playground.
Prepare for an epic showdown! Will the U.S. continue their dominance, or will the International team pull off a shocker? Stay tuned!
Note: IMHO, missing from the competition are the following LIV golfers (based on LIV end-of-season points tally). They chose the cheese over glory and thus have been banned by the PGA Tour (the governing body) from playing in this event. Rat turds.
- Joaquin Neimann – International
- Brooks Koepka – USA
- Louis Oosthuizen – International
- Cam Smith – International
- Bryson DeChambeau – USA
Taylor Gooch – USAMarch Leishman – International