The Decider: Gimme Your Pres Cup MVPs

by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 12, 2009 3:32 PM EDT

The American Presidents Cup team had three real major all stars this weekend.

First was Tiger Woods, who went undefeated in the matches and earned five points for the Americans - the first time he had done that in his career. He punctuated the week with a 6 & 5 pantsing of YE Yang on Sunday.

The next guy that comes to mine is Steve Stricker. Now officially known as the guy that Tiger will be paired with forever, Stricker putted his arms off this weekend - especially on Saturday. Though he wound up losing to Geoff Ogilvy in the singles, his contribution to the best American duo clearly earns him some consideration.

Then, there's Phil Mickelson. Mickelson went out and got 4.5 points this weekend, but also did quite a bit of mentoring in the process with both Anthony Kim (who went 3-1, pasting Robert Allenby too) and Sean O'Hair. Effectively, he stepped up into the role that a hypothetical player-captain hybrid would be.

But, the Internationals certainly were not without good play. Despite Adam Scott's terrible showing, the other captain's pick of Greg Norman turned out very well. Ryo Ishikawa went 3-2 as a captain's pick and beat Kenny Perry in a thoroughly entertaining matchup. For an 18 year old kid, the guy is clearly polished like a 30 year old.

Maybe Tim Clark is the MVP. He played some fantastic golf all weekend. And hey! Did you know that he's short? Just like Jimmy Roberts? Wow! But he went 2-2-1 this weekend.

Vijay quietly went 2-0-3 and was the only International player not to lose a match. That's much better than Camilo Villegas (0-4-1 but he wouldn't concede putts) and Retief Goosen (0-3-1).

So, who's your MVP for the Pres Cup?

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Comments

I think it’s Tiger, with Stricker right behind him.

Mickelson had a nice run, but really benefited from his draw. He got Clark & Weir before they started making everything. Then he played Goosen & Scott (who both played awful), Goosen & Villegas (who played even worse), halved Sing & Clark in a good match, and then beat Goosen (who continued to be awful).

Tiger was everything we expect him to be. Stricker played great and people will say he “carried” Tiger in Saturday morning’s match, but I’m guessing having the World #1 as your fourball partner gives you a little confidence to swing free and be aggressive on the greens.

Tim Clark was definitely the International MVP and Ishikawa played far better than I would have expected.

by MattSpence on Oct 12, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I don’t think I’m willing to say that Stricker carried Woods. I mean, he made a lot of putts, but Woods hit a number of really good shots too.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 12, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

On Saturday afternoon – Stricker carried Woods. Tiger wasn’t a 900 pound gorilla, by any stretch of the imagination – but Strick was making everything he looked at.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 12, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a fair assessment. The 900 pound gorillas were Adam Scott and Camilo Villegas and Retief Goosen. My God! Win a match or something.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

don’t limit that award to the Internationals – AK, Mahan, O’Hair, Johnson, and Leonard had their moments as the 900 pound gorilla.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 12, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

True, but AK turned out 3-1. Mahan beat Villegas. Really, my American LVP would be Lucas Glover. Look out of sync all week.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 12, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Mickelson carried AK most of day one and day two. Mahan had to be carried most of his matches – winning a singles match doesn’t mean anything to the discussion – there isn’t anyone to carry you in a singles match.

Can’t disagree with G Lover – just left him off the list.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 12, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions