The Presidents Cup returns north of the border this week.
The latest: The United States Team is favoured to beat the International Team at Royal Montreal Golf Club. Three Canadians — Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith — are on the squad captained by Mike Weir. I like the Internationals to keep things close and expect a big week from Brian Harman.
Check out our Presidents Cup picks and odds for the tournament beginning on Sept. 24.
Presidents Cup picks
Click linked odds to add selection to betslip. Note: Lines have changed/market no longer available if grey.
| Presidents Cup picks | Odds | Bet now ⬇️ |
| International Team +3.5 | -110 | Add to betslip |
| Brian Harman top rookie points scorer | +400 | Add to betslip |
Go to full Presidents Cup betting markets.
Best Bet: International Team +3.5 (-110)
The last time this event was contested, the U.S. covered this spread in a 17.5-to-12.5 win.
But that was two years ago on American soil and it’s hard not to feel better about where the Internationals are this time.
Sure, the U.S. has Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele to buoy an already stacked squad, but Weir’s team is in great form and is playing on a favourable course.
Of the 24 players in the tournament, Sungjae Im, Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott rank third, fifth and seventh in strokes gained over the last three months, according to DataGolf.
None of them particularly bomb the ball but that doesn’t matter. At just 7,279 yards and littered with hazards, Royal Montreal places more emphasis on driving accuracy.
The home team gets to set up the course to its desired specifications, which gives the Internationals a built-in advantage.
Tom Kim and Conners are also both very accurate drivers with excellent tee-to-green play. You could say the same about the likes of Collin Morikawa, Russell Henley and Harman. But I still like what the hosts bring to the table.
Jim Furyk went full chalk selecting his captain’s picks for the United States, declining to pick anyone outside of the top 12 on the points list. That means an out-of-form Max Homa is in the mix.
Homa went 4-0-0 in 2022. Some regression coupled with a resurgence from Conners and Pendrith (both went 0-0-4 in 2022) would be big for the Internationals’ chances.
Key stat: The International Team has covered this spread in their last two home tournaments.
Quick pick
Brian Harman top rookie pointscorer (+400): Of the six rookies in the field, I like Harman’s chances of having the best week.
The 2023 Open Championship winner can play in rough conditions and doesn’t get rattled easily. He went 2-2-0 in his Ryder Cup debut last year and is one of the more accurate players on the PGA Tour.
Having experience in a team event — and the more important one, at that — makes him a rookie in name only. Wyndham Clark also played in the last Ryder Cup but he’s a bit reckless off-the-tee and had an awful showing at the ProCore Championship.
Sahith Theegala is another rookie worth considering but he, too, struggles to find fairways.
Golf picks made at 2:50 p.m. on 09/24/2024.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.