Presidents Cup Day 3 Odds and Betting Picks

by Matt Schmitto (schmitto) Last Updated 2019-12-13 19:18:41

It was an eventful Day 2 of the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in what looked like would be a rout by the Internationals. The Americans trailed in every match at one point. Had the session ended that way, it would have been devastating to Team USA who started the day trailing 4-1 after a string of upsets on Day 1. In fact, it was the first time the Internationals have led after Day 1 since 2005.

Though their lead has been narrowed 6.5-3.5 thanks to Team USA storming back on in the final holes of their late matches, the Internationals are still favorites to win their first Presidents Cup in 20 years, and for good reason. Teams that have led the Presidents Cup by multiple points after two sessions are 7-0 in closing the deal.

Live Presidents Cup Betting Odds

Internationals -110
USA +140
Ties

If you took the Internationals at anywhere from +280-300 (see: 2019 Presidents Cup: Golf Betting Picks) then you could hedge by taking USA +140. Though one of Team USA’s two leading points scorers (Woods) will take a break today, the Americans still have 12 of the top 24 golfers in the world on their roster. If they go 5-3 on Day 3, this thing is tied heading into Day 4 where the Americans will be favored in the majority of the 12 singles matchplay pairings.

Day 3 will be even more exciting than what has been presented thus far. Instead of five matches, we get a total of eight matches — the first half will be four-ball (best ball) and the latter half will be foursomes (alternate shot). To help matters for the Red, White & Blue, Louis Oosthuizen — arguably the Internationals’ best player — will sit out the first session for Day 3.

Here’s a look at the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook for today’s four-ball session:

Presidents Cup Day 3 Betting Picks

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Haotong Li & Marc Leishman +140 vs. Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas -186

Leishman is 1-1 for the event, with his lone loss coming on behalf of none other than Captain Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas. Woods and Thomas have been great so far, preventing the Americans from being swept on Day 1 and coming in clutch on hole no. 18 in their second match. Thomas drained a long put to give the duo their second win — this time, against Hideki Matsuyama and Byeon Hun An. Woods will be operating as Captain only this time, and Rickie Fowler will try to fill in along side Thomas. Fowler and Thomas are close friends and obviously have chemistry. Li will get his first taste of Presidents Cup action after sitting out the first two days. This is a solid line, but one I’ll stay away from. Though I lean Fowler/Thomas, there’s too much volatility in golf and especially in this team format for me to take such a heavy favorite.

Golf Picks: Pass

Abraham Ancer and Sungjae Im +115 vs. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele -150

Ancer and Im make up my favorite Internationals pairing. Both are young, hungry golfers that have shown potential throughout the season and are now performing well in their first Presidents Cup. Ancer is 2-0 while Im is 1-0-1. Cantlay and Schauffelle lost their first match and then barely skirted by Joaquin Niemann and Adam Hadwin. I’ll ride with the underdogs in this matchup. I expect Im to play aggressive with Ancer serving as a safety net. This team can go low.

Golf Picks: Ancer/Im +115

C.T. Pan and Hideki Matsuyama -125 vs. Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed -106

Pan and Matsuyama beat Simpson and Reed by one hole in the first installment of this matchup. Heckled by fans throughout their rounds, Reed and playing partner Webb Simpson have yet to answer the jeers with a win. That changes in this session. One thing the two have going for them is that they were clearly playing well on Day 1. The two were 5-under which was only one stroke behind Woods and Thomas. On Day Two, they were 2-under through 16 holes, tying with Woods’ and Thomas’ final score under par. Matsuyama is the best golfer of the four, but a cold putter could quickly derail this International pairing. Reed revels as the villain, and I think he’ll get some vengeance today.

Golf Picks: Simpson/Reed -106

Byeong Hun An and Adam Scott -150 vs. Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar +115

While Oosthuizen takes a break, Adam Scott will be the Internationals leader during Day 3’s first session. Scott is 2-0 and is playing with confidence on home turf with the Aussie crowd behind him. Scott’s first win came with Hun An by his side as the pair took down Tony Finau and Bryson Dechambeau. This is a shorter course that mitigates Finau’s biggest strength — his distance off the tee. On the other hand, this course sets up well for veteran Matt Kuchar. I’m likely staying away from this match, but I think there’s more value taking +115 on the American pairing.