CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The first round of matches at the 2022 Presidents Cup feature some fan-favorites and a slew of rookies.
Ten players will make their debut on Thursday in the biennial bout at Quail Hollow Club as the Internationals look to win on American soil for the first time. The U.S. has dominated the foursomes sessions in the past with a 73-39-21 record, and if our predictions are accurate, history will repeat itself once again on Thursday afternoon.
Golfweek’s Adam Schupak and Adam Woodard are on the scene this week and made picks for the first round of matches. Spoiler alert: the rout is on.
Presidents Cup: Yardage book | Results over the years
Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott (Intl.) vs Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (USA)
AS: Neither captain was messing around, bringing out some of their big guns for what should be a terrific matchup. Scott ended the FedEx Cup playoffs on a hot streak while Matsuyama has dealt with a neck injury of late. But they are going up against the dynamic duo of Cantlay-Schauffele, who can finish each other’s sentences and live to play together.
USA wins, 3 and 2.
AW: The two longest-tenured members of the International team have their work cut out for them against Cantlay-Schauffele, who are 4-0-0 in foursomes in the Presidents and Ryder cups. Breaking his own record with his 10th appearance in the event, Scott is tired of losing and will step up big to start.
USA and Internationals tie the match.
Sungjae Im-Corey Conners (Intl.) vs Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas (USA)
AS: I think this will be a lot closer than people expect. Im and Conners could ball-strike the Americans to death, but JT and Jordan are built for this week.
USA wins, 1 up.
AW: The last time we saw Spieth and Thomas paired in foursomes resulted in a 3-and-1 loss to Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia at the 2021 Ryder Cup. Nothing against Im and Conners, but Thomas and Spieth will bounce back at Quail Hollow and roll in this one.
USA wins, 4 and 3.
Tom Kim-K.H. Lee (Intl.) vs Cameron Young-Collin Morikawa (USA)
AS: Tom Kim is a wildcard. Will the teenage sensation succumb to the pressure or will he rise to the occasion and prove to be oblivious to the pressure? I like Young and Morikawa and I think Team USA.
USA wins, 4 and 3.
AW: Call me crazy but I’m all-in on the jokester Kim … just not enough to pick the Internationals to win this one. With Young and Morikawa you get the best of both worlds when it comes to distance off the tee and ball-striking.
USA wins, 4 and 3.
Si Woo Kim-Cam Davis (Intl) vs Scottie Scheffler-Sam Burns (USA)
AS: Scheffler-Burns has the makings of a go-to pairing for Team USA. I like them to roll to victory.
USA wins, 5 and 4.
AW: Couldn’t agree more with the other Adam on this one, but I think it’ll be a bit closer while still a comfortable American win.
USA wins, 3 and 2.
Taylor Pendrith-Mito Pereira (Intl) vs Tony Finau-Max Homa (USA)
AS: I think this has the potential for an upset, but the U.S. side is on too much of a roll: Finau shot 60 last week in a practice round in Utah while Homa won the Fortinet Championship. The U.S. has too much firepower. The rout is on.
USA wins, 2 and 1. | USA wins session, 5-0.
AW: International assistant captain Mike Weir said his fellow Canadian Pendrith will be one for fans to watch this week, and if Pereira can keep pace, I like the Internationals to keep this one close.
USA and Internationals tie the match. | USA wins session, 4-1.