Now that we’ve gone through the initial eight players on each Presidents Cup team, let’s add in some captain’s pick predictions. There are several factors that go into a captain’s pick. Obviously, recent performance is most important. But almost equally as important are both effect on team chemistry and Cup history. For example, history might be the only reason Phil Mickelson is considered for a captain’s pick this year – he hasn’t been playing his best golf and has openly said this himself; he also severely underperformed in the most recent Ryder Cup. So why would Tiger pick Phil? There have been 12 Presidents Cups, starting in 1994, and Phil has played in all 12 of them. I do not think he will be picked this year but am just stating why it’s possible.
The next 8 in the points standings are as follows: 9. Tony Finau (5,152); 10. Gary Woodland (4,964); 11. Rickie Fowler (4,678); 12. Patrick Reed (4,510); 13. Tiger Woods (3,905); 14. Chez Reavie (3,810); 15. Kevin Kisner (3,670); 16. Phil Mickelson (3,574).
Out of these potential eight candidates we know one pick for sure. Tiger is going to pick himself. First, he’s the 2019 Masters Champion. There was almost no doubt since that historic win that Tiger would pick himself, but just in case anyone had any doubt, he just won his 82nd (!!!) tournament in Japan at the Zozo Championship on October 27, 2019. This ties Sam Snead’s all-time PGA tournament win record and it seems likely now that he’ll surpass Snead. He’s also played in the President’s Cup 8 times (last appearance was in 2013) with an overall 24-15-1 record. Some people are suggesting he shouldn’t pick himself, not because he isn’t good enough, but to conserve his energy. For Tiger, his performance is purely based on his physical condition. Playing in his tournament at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas and then flying to Australia to play in this team event might not be the best choice for the golf public if we’re hoping for a repeat win at the Masters. But… he’s definitely going to pick himself so there’s no real point stressing about that.
That’s one pick down, and as discussed above, I don’t believe Mickelson will be picked. That leaves us with Finau, Woodland, Fowler, Reed, Reavie and Kisner. Personally, I’d like to see Finau, Fowler and Kisner get those picks but I will break each choice down and figure out what’s realistic. Side note: It’s notable that Jordan Speith is nowhere to be seen on this list, much to my chagrin… he was 27th in the points after a disappointing year and there’s very little chance he gets selected given his form.
*World Rankings are as of 11/4/2019
Tony Finau
World Rank: 12
2020 Performance: T53 at the WGC-HSBC Championship.
2019 Performance: No wins. 6 Total top 10s including 2 top 10s at the Majors (2nd at Masters, 3rd at The Open). He performed well in the 2019 playoffs, making it to the Tour Championship and finishing in 7th.
2018 Performance: No wins. 11 total top 10s including 3 top 10s at the Majors (10th at Masters, 5th at US Open, 9th at The Open)
President’s Cup Appearances: n/a
Commentary: Finau is an infamous choker. He has yet to actually win a non-opposite field tournament, but boy is he likable. At the Masters in 2018, he was playing the par 3 with his significant other and made a hole in one. He ran backwards in celebration and rolled his ankle. It was black and blue and disgusting the rest of the tournament but he still went on to finish in the top 10. It’s a hilarious moment that made a lot of people like Tony. He was also Jim Furyk’s fourth captain pick for the 2018 Ryder Cup; while he only was selected to play in 3 matches he was able to secure 2 points, outperforming a majority of the rest of team USA. He also tied Henrik Stenson for lowest round at -6 on the final day. I think Tony is pretty much a lock to be picked by Tiger.
Gary Woodland
World Rank: 16
2020 Performance: Woodland has already played in 3 tournaments this October and carded 2 top 10s.
2019 Performance: 1 win (U.S. Open). 8 total top 10s including 2 top 10s in Majors (1st at US Open, 8th at PGA).
2018 Performance: 1 win (Waste Management Phoenix Open). 3 top 10s including 1 top 10 in Majors (6th at PGA)
President’s Cup Appearances: n/a
Commentary: I think Woodland may be one of the few universally liked people on Tour. Last year at the Waste Management Open, he and his number one fan Amy, who has autism and loves to golf, played the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The clip went viral and when he won the US Open this year, he shouted her out on social media afterwards and had her join him during an interview. He’s had some tough times personally with his wife’s health and everyone was thrilled for him when he won at Pebble Beach last year. He has yet to prove himself in a team event, having not qualified or been selected for the 2018 Ryder Cup, although this year is different, because he is a Major Champion. I think Tiger has a huge respect for Major Champions and I believe he will make Gary his third pick.
If Tiger is going to use three of his four captain’s picks on Finau, Woodland, and himself, then that leaves us one more pick to fill. Let’s examine the final four real contenders…
Rickie Fowler
World Rank: 21
2020 Performance: n/a
2019 Performance: 1 win (Waste Management Phoenix Open). 6 top 10s including 2 top 10s in Majors (9th at Masters, 6th at The Open).
2018 Performance: 1 win (Hero World Challenge). 6 top 10s including 1 top 10 in majors (2nd at Masters)
President’s Cup Appearances: 2015 & 2017 (4-3-1)
Commentary: Out of the four remaining candidates here, I think it’s safe to stay that Rickie is probably our top veteran. He’s appeared in 2 Presidents Cups already with an overall winning record and appearing in 4 Ryder Cups (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018) with an… admittedly not great record of 3-7-5. Rickie did well enough in the playoffs last year, qualifying for the Tour Championship and finishing in 19th place. Rickie has a good standing among his peers, especially with Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, who are also very close with Tiger. With Spieth unlikely to play, Fowler could make a natural partner for Thomas during the first three days. This is tough because Rickie has the experience, recent performance and personal relationships to be picked. Rickie however did just get married and has not played tournament golf since the Tour Championship. I really think it will be between Fowler and Kisner and based purely on experience I’m going to guess Tiger picks Fowler. I still think it’s worth examining why I think the next three will not be chosen.
Patrick Reed
World Rank: 15
2020 Performance: T8 at the WGC-HSBC Championship and T17 at the Zozo Championship. Reed wants to be chosen so badly.
2019 Performance: 1 win (The Northern Trust). 5 top 10s including 1 top 10 in Majors (10th at The Open).
2018 Performance: 1 win (The Masters). 7 top 10s including 2 top 10s in Majors (1st at Masters, 4th at US Open).
President’s Cup Appearances: 2015 & 2017 (4-3-2)
Commentary: Ah Patrick Reed – if Gary Woodland is one of the kindest, most well-liked guys on Tour, then Patrick Reed has to be one of the most hated. Patrick would say himself that he thrives on that hatred and lives to prove people wrong. This includes his own parents, who he has had escorted from his tournaments before. He and his equally as intense and disliked wife Justine are a dark Power Couple. Despite Reed performing well this year, including winning a playoff event and finishing 9th in the Tour Championship, I believe his questionable relationships will be the main factor working against him here. While he is known as Captain America after his famous duel with Rory McIlroy in the 2016 Ryder Cup, and the way he carried partner Jordan Speith during the battle is well documented, I think the team dissent he sowed at the 2018 Ryder Cup will work against him more than his 2016 Ryder Cup performance will help him. It’s worth noting that if Tiger did choose Reed instead of Fowler, that all but Kuchar on team USA would be in the top 20 in the world. For chemistry reasons, I think Tiger will avoid picking Captain America.
Chez Reavie
World Rank: 31
2020 Performance: Chez has played in 5 tournaments since the 2019 season ended in September and has so far finished 30th or worse, including a missed cut.
2019 Performance: 1 win (Travelers Championship). 6 top 10s including 1 top 10 in Majors (3rd at US Open).
2018 Performance: No wins. 3 top 10s, none in Majors.
President’s Cup Appearances: n/a
Commentary: Reavie had the year of his golfing life in 2019, securing his first PGA Tour title in 11 years; his previous win was all the way back 2008 at the RBC Canadian Open. Despite a great year, including an 8th place finish at the 2019 Tour Championship, his lack of consistency and experience will prevent Tiger from choosing Reavie.
Kevin Kisner
World Rank: 33
2020 Performance: T28 at the WGC-HSBC Championship and T66 at the Zozo Championship. Not exactly tip-top performances, especially on the weekend.
2019 Performance: 1 win (WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play). 5 top 10s, none in Majors.
2018 Performance: No wins. 4 top 10s including 1 top 10 in Majors (2nd at The Open).
President’s Cup Appearances: 2017 (2-0-2)
Commentary: I would love to see Kiz get picked. He’s an extremely impressive match play golfer as evidenced by his successful history at the Dell Technologies Match Play, which he won this year after finishing runner-up in 2018. He was a successful add to the 2017 Presidents Cup team and has a noted friendship with both Tiger and many of the other players on the team. Kiz finished 9th at the 2019 Tour Championship but had an otherwise average year carding no top 10s in the Majors. While I think Kiz would be an extremely fun add to the team, I do not think Tiger will choose Kisner.
This is an absolutely stacked Team USA. It’s hard to think that there’s any possibility they won’t win. Just in having to choose between the final four options – these are elite players. It’s also worth noting that if Tiger does NOT pick Reed, that he will be the only American player inside the top 20 in the World Rankings not on this team. Sometimes being liked is important folks! But I guess we shall see this week.
It is also worth noting that some reports are saying Brooks, and potentially DJ, are questionable for the tournament due to injuries. If one, or even both are out, I would assume Reed is first in line as an alternate with Kisner shortly behind him as second alternate. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s look at the possible International captain’s picks.
