Predictions, Predictions, Predictions: Presidents Cup Edition

John Huggan and Ron Sirak do the point-counterpoint thing, with Huggan making the case for the International squad and Sirak going all patriotic for the US of A.

In this week's Pond Scrum Huggan and Elling kicked around the possible outcome.

Elling: To begin with, the only time the U.S. team lost the Presidents Cup was at Royal Melbourne, and it wasn't even close. It's a fast, nuanced course, and with a slew of hometown Aussies in the lineup, this road game looks like a tough ask for the Yanks.

Huggan: I'm going with the Internationals because of the golf course. Royal Melbourne isn't the longest or the toughest test, but it does take a lot of knowing, especially if conditions play fast and firm. If we get a hot northwest wind like they had at the matches in 1998, there is only going to be one winner -- the team with five Aussies.

Huggan: Uh-oh, so we agree? That tired "ole-ole-ole" song the Euro fans sing at the Ryder Cup? This time, the Americans might be tired of the "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy" chant.

Elling: A crucial player for the Yanks is Steve Stricker, who hasn't played in two months and has been battling a nerve issue in his neck. Stricker practiced in the Arizona desert as a warmup, but the lack of live fire seems problematic. The dream team of him and Woods is the biggest question of the week, to me.

Huggan: I think you may be right about Stricker. His game is made for this course. But if doesn't bring it with him, he likely isn't going to find it here.