Presidents Cup Sunday singles picks, predictions: Team USA wins big at Quail Hollow
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It all comes down to this.
The 2022 Presidents Cup got a lot more interesting after the International team took a big step forward on Saturday, but the Americans still hold an 11-7 lead in the biennial bout held this year at Quail Hollow Club. If the worldwide all-stars captained by Trevor Immelman are able to complete the upset – let’s call it a Quail Mary – it would be the biggest comeback in the event’s 28-year history. Not only that, the win would mark the first time the Internationals have ever won on U.S. soil.
All that said, Golfweek’s Adam Schupak and Adam Woodard don’t think International fans should get their hopes up. The two are on the scene this week at Quail Hollow and made their final picks for Sunday’s 12 singles matches. Spoiler alert: get ready for a lot of red on the scoreboard.
AS: JT by a touchdown.
AW: Surprisingly, Thomas is 0-2-0 in his Presidents Cup singles history. Expect the sometimes-fiery American to light the fuse early for the U.S.
Justin Thomas celebrates after making his putt on the 13th hole during the morning fourball matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 29, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo: Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
AS: Here’s a fun fact — Spieth is also winless in singles in the Presidents Cup. And Ryder Cup. I’m not going to fight the numbers. Davis keeps Spieth winless.
AW: I won’t fight the numbers either: Spieth is playing out of his mind this week and has been the better of the two in his perfect 4-0-0 pairing with Thomas. Davis has been strong this week, so it’ll stay close, but gimme Spieth.
Team USA golfer Jordan Spieth celebrates after making his putt on the 12th green during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: I’ve been unimpressed with Matsuyama. Burns, baby, Burns.
AW: My colleague is putting it lightly: Matsuyama’s been bad (for the standards of a player of his caliber). That said, I think he’ll be energized by Saturday and he beats Burns in a shootout.
Team USA golfer Sam Burns celebrates winning the 17th hole during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Something tells me Cantlay’s dinner didn’t taste good after losing to Tom Kim. He’s going to be a man possessed tomorrow. Cantlay will lay down the hammer.
AW: Scott just cannot catch a break this week, this match included. He’ll keep it close early, but Cantlay will prove to be too much down the stretch.
Team USA’s Patrick Cantlay acknowledges the crowd after making his putt on the fifth green during the foursomes match play of the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Scheffler has only a half point to his credit so far and was benched Saturday afternoon. I bet a late-night putting lesson from Steve Stricker will do the trick. Another point on the board for Team USA.
AW: If Scheffler isn’t able to get it together, Munoz is the kind of player who can take advantage and get hot with the best of ’em and rattle off a bunch of birdies. Going with a tie on this one.
Team USA golfer Scottie Scheffler addresses the media in a press conference during a practice day for the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Two big boppers going head-to-head should be a fun one to watch. I’ll take Big Tone.
AW: Finau (with Max Homa) got the better of Pendrith (with Mito Pereira) on Thursday in foursomes, 1 up, and I think he’ll take care of business solo this time around.
Team USA golfer Tony Finau celebrates after making his putt on the third green during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Conners has disappointed with his putter. Schauffele is “pissed off” after being on the losing end of Tom Kim’s Saturday heroics. X marks the spot.
AW: The 2022 Presidents Cup will be known for the Canadian Goose Egg. Schauffele rolls.
Team USA golfer Xander Schauffele celebrates after making his putt on the 15th green during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Im has been playing outstanding golf for the last month. Immelman should have put him out earlier, but he’ll get a win, nonetheless.
AW: This could be one of the best matches of the day, but if things play out the way I see it, the competition will already have been won. The Young rookie will take his foot off the gas and Im comes back to win.
Cameron Young of the United States Team and Max Homa of the United States Team look on prior to the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Country Club on September 19, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
AS: Billy Ho is a match-play maven. He’ll take down the “sexiest golfer in the world.”
AW: Horschel has been waiting for this opportunity for years. Do you really think he’s going to waste it?
Team USA golfer Billy Horschel hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Very questionable move by Immelman placing Tom in the 10th hole. Kim’s magical week ends on a high note.
AW: It’s a shame this match isn’t higher up in the schedule and probably won’t have a huge impact in deciding the team champion, but man this match is going to be fun. Fan-favorite Homa, who has been clutch all week, outduels the rising star of the week Kim.
International team rookie Tom Kim walks in a putt to help he and Si Woo Kim defeat Americans Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele during Saturday afternoon four-ball at the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club on September 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
AS: Morikawa’s iron play is just too good.
AW: Pereira rode the pine pony all day on Saturday and showing up cold against Morikawa is the recipe for a beatdown. I’ll take the American.
Team USA golfer Collin Morikawa hits his chip shot on the second green during a practice day for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
AS: Expect the Presidents Cup to be secured long before this match hits the back nine but if somehow it matters, Kisner will take care of business.
AW: Kisner hasn’t had his best stuff this week but he’s too much of a showman to go out on a low note.
Team USA golfer Kevin Kisner addresses the media in a press conference during a practice day for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Schupak: The United States win, 9-3
Woodard: The United States win, 9-2-1
Team USA celebrates on the 18th green during the four-ball match play of the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)