Tour Confidential: Predicting the Presidents Cup winner and team MVPs

Check in each day of this week’s Presidents Cup for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topic at Quail Hollow Club, and join the conversation by tweeting us @1a43628c-0aa7-4bde-8d76-ff914df46711

The 14th Presidents Cup kicks off on Thursday at Quail Hollow Club with the Americans as massive favorites (-650) to win the biennial event. They own an 11-1-1 record and, on paper, it looks even more lopsided this season. Who wins, and who will be the MVPs for each side?

Sean Zak, senior editor (@Sean_Zak): The Americans win, but not by a lot. Scottie Scheffler dominates — big surprise there — and Hideki Matsuyama does his best to hold up the International squad. 16.5-13.5!

James Colgan, assistant editor (@jamescolgan26): If I’m a betting man, I’m taking the Internationals. (+650! That’s insane!) But if I’m an honest man, I’m rolling with the U.S. to hold on in a surprisingly close one, 15.5-14.5.

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Jack Hirsh, assistant edtior (@JR_HIRSHey): I too love taking a chance on the Internationals at +650. The team is motivated and this is match play, so anything could happen. I’ll jump on Sean’s score above and say it’s a 16.5-13.5 win for the Americans. MVPs will be Schauffele for the U.S. and Tom Kim for the internationals.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): I thought I was going to waltz in here with a contrarian take that the Internationals were going to put up a strong fight — but you all are already onboard with that take. I’ll go a step further: The Internationals pull the upset! 16-14 for Trevor Immelman’s squad. Cam Davis and Taylor Pendrith score 3.5 points each to lead a well-balanced attack. A big payday for all the backers of the black and yellow.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@JoshSens): I already took the Internationals in a beer bet with a friend. Yes. I risk one beer to win seven. It’s the only sensible wager but the upset, nice as it would be to see, isn’t going to happen. Too much firepower on the U.S. side, and enough first timers that the team should be every bit as fired up as Immelman’s squad. Sunday forecast: Team USA wins 17-13, Sam Burns is MVP and I have to buy my own six pack.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): The optimism from my colleagues is … interesting. We’ve all seen the odds (they ain’t pretty), so why are we over-thinking? The Americans are going to place a beatdown on the Internationals this week, and it’ll be a historic one at that. Gimme Team USA, 23-7.