Betting Analysis
Presidents Cup picks 2024: Our experts' best bets at Royal Montreal
Jared C. Tilton
While you can't quite hit big like you can on an outright, these biennial team events still present plenty of fun and unique ways to place some bets. From top-scorer props to Day 1 winner props to who will hit the first tee shot, the 2024 Presidents Cup betting board has a little bit of everything.
Below, we've each plucked two or three of our best bets for this week's action at Royal Montreal. Scroll on down to see who, or what, we like.
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Corey Conners (+1000) and Byeong Hun An (+1400), Top International point scorers (Bet365) — Since they’re massive underdogs you have to think volume for the international team. Since this is in Canada, and the captain is Canadian, presumably they make sure the best Canadian is on the course in the first session. As long as he plays well, he’s not taking any time off and Conners may get all 5 sessions in. If he plays poorly, well, he wasn’t going to win anyway. As for An, it seems crazy to me that he has the longest odds of anyone on the team. Hopefully he gets out with a good partner on the first day, but simply stacking up resumes of all these players all year long, Ben An is one of the few to make it to East Lake, had a bunch of top 10s in signature events and even fired a clutch seven-under 65 last Sunday at Wentworth to enter in good form.
Brandon Gdula, FanDuel/numberFire managing editor: Xander Schauffele (+600), Top U.S. point scorer (FanDuel) — Xander has been a staple for the US team, and that shouldn’t stop any time soon, as he is putting together a dominant 2024 run. On paper, this Presidents Cup is actually closer than some may realize, so we could either see Schauffele with added matches due to a lack of a runaway – or because he is integral to an early-week surge. All signs point to volume and points for Xander.
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest dep. managing editor: Day 1 winner, U.S. Team (-145, FanDuel) — I’m not as bearish on the International team’s chances as the odds would suggest, but I do think the Americans’ talent will shine in the opening fourballs matches. The International team has some great putters, but 10 of the 12 players will be playing in the opening day, so the depth of each team will be on display—which is an advantage in fourballs more so than foursomes, in my opinion, which is why I like this bet.
Keith Stewart, Read The Line: Patrick Cantlay (+700), Top U.S. point scorer (Bet365) — Everyone loves Xander Schauffele to win most points for the American side. Guess what, if he does win four or five points it will be with Patrick Cantlay in the team formats. Cantlay has a better singles record than Xander in Cup matches and probably won’t draw as tough an opponent on Sunday. As a bonus for this bet, Patrick is nearly twice the odds of Schauffele. Should Furyk break the dream team up, I still like Cantlay to come through with or without the X-man.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Tournament Fourballs Winner, U.S. (-175, DraftKings) — Best ball has historically been the stronger format for the American side in both the Ryder and Presidents Cups. There are nine total fourball matches this week, and I think the International team would be absolutely thrilled to get three of those, let alone four. They'll have to make up their ground in the flukier foursomes format and in singles. U.S. should easily take the fourballs with their top-heavy squad.
Andy Lack, Run Pure Sports and Inside Golf podcast: U.S. to win 17-13, Correct Score (+1100, DraftKings) — It’s more fun to call your shot in these team events, and I do feel comfortable in my prediction that the United States will win handily, but not in a blowout. My guess is that the United States wins by between two and six points, so let’s split the difference and call it 17-13. The Americans still possess a significant talent advantage, but the back end of their team has some weaknesses, and the opposition has kept it far closer on International soil.
Gdula: Hideki Matsuyama (+650), Top International point scorer (FanDuel) — Historically speaking, OWGR rank has told us a lot about match volume for the International team, and that points to Matsuyama above all, as he’s seventh in the world with only Adam Scott (18th) inside the top 20 on the roster. Hideki’s recent form also puts him at the top of the list, so he’s the most obvious choice for a full match card and points.
Hennessey: Si Woo Kim (+850), Top International point scorer (DraftKings) — I absolutely love Si Woo Kim on this golf course. He’s one of the most accurate players off the tee on the PGA Tour, which will be crucial at Royal Montreal. He played great at Castle Pines in the second playoff event, and then had a top 20 last week at Wentworth. The putter can definitely spike for the positive, and I think he’ll likely get a strong partner—which could mean he’ll be on a power team all week.
Minas Panagiotakis
Lack: Taylor Pendrith (+1400), Top International point scorer (DraftKings) — If the International team has a strong analytics department, they will know what they have in Taylor Pendrith. I know that he may not be the biggest name on the team, but I do believe the Canadian possesses some of the most upside. Pendrith is an excellent total driver of the ball, putter, and he is striking his irons beautifully at the moment. This is one of my favorite value plays on the board.
Powers: Corey Conners (+1000), Top International point scorer — Pat hit the nail on the head already—Conners is, statistically, one of the International team's top two players, and he's playing in his home country with a Canadian captain in Mike Weir. If he doesn't play in every session, and doesn't get paired with a teammate who can actually putt, then Weir is asking to lose.
Stewart: Si Woo Kim (+375), Top International captain's pick scorer (Bet365) — Earning points is all about getting an opportunity to play. Si Woo Kim can win in either team format. An incredibly straight driver of the golf ball, he’s a perfect partner in foursomes. An aggressive scoring machine, Kim is great for fourball as well. Most captain’s picks only get two or three chances to play. Si Woo is one of ONLY two players with a winning record on the International side who has competed in multiple Presidents Cups. Take the confident Kim and your chances with him being a big part of Mike Weir’s winning strategy.
Lack: Collin Morikawa (+800), Top Overall point scorer (DraftKings) — I originally had Sam Burns slotted for this spot, but if practice rounds are any indication, we may actually see Collin Morikawa play some golf with Scottie Scheffler this week. A Morikawa/Scheffler duo would be one of the more deadly teams that the United States could deploy, and I would expect them to be significant favorites against any International pairing. Morikawa is an excellent course fit for Royal Montreal in his own right, and his total driving and middle-iron play should reign supreme at the Dick Wilson design.
