Every other year, a team of United States golfers takes on a team of International golfers from all over the world (except for Europe). Golfers from the U.S. and Europe meet every other year in the Ryder Cup. Currently, the Ryder Cup is held in even years, while the Presidents’ Cup is held in odd years. Royal Melbourne Golf Club is set to host this match play format event. As you consider your golf betting for this event, take a look at our introduction to the 2019 Presidents’ Cup format as well as some prop bets so that you can decide the best wagers.
2019 Presidents’ Cup Odds, Preview & Prediction
- When: December 12 – 15, 2019
- Where: Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- TV: Golf Channel
- Live Stream: Golf.tv
U.S. Team
- Tiger Woods (captain)
- Fred Couples* (assistant)
- Zach Johnson* (assistant)
- Steve Stricker* (assistant)
- Justin Thomas
- Dustin Johnson
- Patrick Cantlay
- Xander Schauffele
- Webb Simpson
- Matt Kuchar
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Tony Finau
- Gary Woodland
- Rickie Fowler
- Patrick Reed
International Team
- Ernie Els* (captain)
- K.J. Choi* (assistant)
- Geoff Ogilvy* (assistant)
- Trevor Immelman* (assistant)
- Mike Weir* (assistant)
- Marc Leishman
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Louis Oosthuizen
- Adam Scott
- Abraham Ancer
- Li Haotong
- Pan Cheng-Tsung
- Cameron Smith
- Sungjae Im
- Byeong Hun An
- Adam Hadwin
- Joaquin Niemann
Who’s the Favorite?
The United States is favored to win at -250. After all, their entire team comes from the top 25 of the Official World Golf Ranking, but only three members of the International Team are in the top 25. Team USA has won seven straight Presidents’ Cups as well as 10 of the 12 overall, with one win for the International Team and one draw. However, the International Team won at Royal Melbourne back in 1998.
Starting on Wednesday, December 11, at 5:30 pm Eastern time. Overall, the tournament consists of 30 matches spread out over four days. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the matches will be in four-ball and foursome format. On Sunday, there will be a dozen singles matches. In the four-ball and foursome matches, nine players from each team will participate. In the singles matches, obviously, 12 players from each team will play.
The two captains determine the lineups for all of the matches, with assistance from their assistant captains. Each player must play a minimum of one match ahead of the Sunday singles matches. Each match victory is worth one point, and if the match is a tie, each team geta a half-point. Since there are 30 matches, there are 30 available points. The first team that scores 15 ½ points wins. If both sides get 15 points, which has happened, both sides share the trophy. This is different from the Ryder Cup, in which the defending champion retains the trophy in the case of a tie.
Prop Bets
International Team
- 2019 Presidents’ Cup Odds: +3.5 points (-125)
There are 30 points available overall. In 2017, the Internationals fell, 19-11. However, in 2013 and 2015, they lost by three points and one point, respectively. International tournaments like this tend to feature close play even when the talent differential is somewhat wide. This tournament is in the home country of several of the International players, which will add fan support to their side.
Top Point Scorer for Team USA: Patrick Reed
- 2019 Presidents’ Cup Odds: +900
There are some players on Team USA who have underperformed in international competitions such as this, but Reed is not one of them. In the 2017 Presidents’ Cup, he excelled, and he has also played well in Ryder Cups. He did make the news last week for taking a two-stroke penalty at the Hero World Challenge last week. Why? He illegally improved his line of play in a bunker.
Top Point Scorer Overall: Adam Scott
- 2019 Presidents’ Cup Odds: +1200
Scott is the best Australian golfer, and so he will have a ton of crowd support pushing him on. He did not participate in the 1998 Presidents’ Cup, which the Internationals won at this same golf course. However, he has wins at the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open in his career, and he would love to add a Presidents’ Cup win at this course to his resume.
