Presidents Cup 2024: Breaking down the Sunday singles matchups at Royal Montreal

MONTREAL -- Can the Internationals still win the Presidents Cup? At 11-7 in favor of the Americans, is it already over? We've seen four-point comebacks before, at least in the Ryder Cup, so in theory it can be done. But it also feels like the INTs missed a big chance Saturday evening in dropping a foursomes session that looked very winnable even late into the back nine. It'll take an extraordinary effort, but stranger things have happened, so let's take a look at the 12 singles matches and see what we can expect.

Match 1

Xander Schauffele (U.S.) vs. Jason Day (INT)

Oftentimes in singles, the position a captain puts you in can have a major effect. For instance, having to play your fifth match in singles correlates with trouble, for obvious fatigue reasons. But coming in cold, having sat out multiple sessions, also bodes poorly. Which means this match between Day, who was benched all day Saturday, and Scheffler, who played all four, isn't easy to handicap from that angle. In the end, we have to revert to what we know about the actual players, and, well ... that's where things get obvious.

Outlook: Schauffele has got this.

Match 2

Sam Burns (U.S.) vs. Tom Kim (INT)

This is a funny one, where Kim has the better stats by far, but a 1-2 record, while Burns is the only undefeated player on either team at 3-0, but with relatively mediocre stats.

Outlook: Kim deserves this one after how well he's played and how much energy he brings to the event. Give it to him on vibes.

Match 3

Scottie Scheffler (U.S.) vs. Hideki Matsuyama (INT)

Matsuyama has statistically been the worst player on the International team, and it's so hard to see him overcoming a player in Scheffler who has been. maybe a slight step behind his usual absurd standards, but who keeps stepping up in big moments.

Outlook: He's World No. 1 for a reason, folks.

Match 4

Russell Henley (U.S.) vs. Sungjae Im (INT)

Henley came in with one job, which was to pair successfully with Scheffler—something a few others have failed at in the past. He did it with a 2-1 mark, and this is icing on the cake. Henley will have his hands full with Sungjae, who played extremely well despite a 1-3 record.

Outlook: Sungjae is in slightly better form, but this should be close throughout.

Match 5

Patrick Cantlay (U.S.) vs. Taylor Pendrith (INT)

One of the most clutch players in recent U.S. match-play history against a guy who tried to boot even a winnable match on Saturday afternoon and can't buy a putt?

Outlook: Cantlay, without a doubt

Match 6

Keegan Bradley (U.S.) vs. Si Woo Kim (INT)

Si Woo Kim has been the best player on either team by the numbers ... just a truly spectacular, A+ effort from the moment he teed it up for the first time Friday. Bradley deserves a lot of credit for his win Thursday, but this one on paper looks like a mismatch.

Outlook: Si Woo is on a heater.

Match 7

Tony Finau (U.S.) vs. Corey Conners (INT)

Finau has been uneven, but I've yet to see Conners make an important putt, and without Hughes on his side like he had in his lone victory, it's hard to pick him.

Outlook: Until proven otherwise, I don't believe in Conners in match play.

Match 8

Wyndham Clark (U.S.) vs. Min Woo Lee (INT)

Min Woo Lee hasn't played since Thursday, and the combination of being cold and lacking self-belief from an obvious lack of faith coming from Weir ... these are all bad omens. Clark has been the definition of middle of the pack in a lot of ways, but he should have enough here.

Outlook: I can't see Min Woo winning this one.

Match 9

Sahith Theegala (U.S.) vs. Ben An (INT)

Both of these guys bring great vibes, but both have struggled this week in limited action. I find this impossible to predict.

Outlook: Hate to say it, but the real competition might be over before these guys get rolling on the back.

Match 10

Collin Morikawa (U.S.) vs. Adam Scott (INT)

This is a late gem between two sneaky-good performers who got the job done under tough circumstances and with underperforming partners. Both also went all four sessions, but Morikawa's relative youth might give him an edge.

Outlook: Morikawa by a nose, particularly if the Cup is already over by the time they get to the pressure points.

Match 11

Brian Harman (U.S.) vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (INT)

Oof. In the report cards I wrote up earlier Saturday, these guys were the respective worst for their teams, and both struggled massively in their two matches. There's a reason they're up against each other, and a reason it's slotted very late in the day where it likely won't matter. This is not appointment viewing.

Outlook: Bezuidenhout's numbers are slightly better, but that might not be especially meaningful.

Match 12

Max Homa (U.S.) vs. Mackenzie Hughes (INT)

I think Homa got a bit of a raw deal only playing, twice, and only playing with a struggling partner in Harman. His own stats were not nearly as bad as his 0-2 record indicates, and I expect him to break out and have a great match here against a guy in Hughes who can really putt, but whose ball striking was a major disappointment all weekend.

Outlook: Homa, proving what a tough match-play opponent he is, in the most lopsided match of the day.