This preview was written before the tournament. Prices quoted are pre-tournament prices and are not current.
Best Bet
USA to win (outright, $1.22). The United States have won ten Presidents Cups in a row and lead the all-time series 13-1-1, with the International Team not having won since 1998. They are defending champions after an 18.5-11.5 win in 2024 and bring far more depth. $1.22 is short, so it suits a multi leg more than a big single bet. If you want a bit more return, the USA to win the first day was $1.62, and they usually start fast.
The reasoning
This is the 16th edition, played at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September, with 30 points on offer. Four-ball matches open on Thursday and Foursomes follow on Friday, there are two sessions on Saturday, and 12 Singles matches decide it on Sunday. Brandt Snedeker captains a US side led by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, with Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark among the depth. Geoff Ogilvy leads an International Team built around Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee.
Medinah’s No. 3 course has been rebuilt, which makes it a different test from the one used for the 2012 Ryder Cup. Fairways are twice as wide, the greens are over 40 per cent larger, and there are 117 bunkers, up from 70. The routing has been changed to make the 12th and 13th holes matter late in matches. Wider fairways suit aggressive Four-ball golf, but the rough and bunkers still punish wild drives.
Other plays
- Adam Scott, top International points scorer ($6.25). Scott has plenty of Presidents Cup experience and arrives in decent form after a good week on the DP World Tour. Two points might be enough to top-score for the Internationals.
- Min Woo Lee, top International points scorer ($6.25). Lee’s aggressive style suits Four-ball on the redesigned course, and a prominent role in the team sessions would give him a chance to build momentum before Singles.
- Scottie Scheffler, top USA points scorer ($4.00). If he plays his best he should win most of his matches. Justin Thomas ($10.00) is the longer-priced alternative after his course-record 61 at Medinah in 2019, though the course has since been rebuilt.
- Xander Schauffele, top combined scorer ($13.00). A saver bet on a proven match-play performer who has been consistent since returning from injury.
How we’d play it
- Main bet: USA to win, best used as a leg in a multi.
- Value: Scott or Lee for top International scorer, not both, since only one can top-score.
- Small stake: Schauffele for top combined scorer at $13.00.
