Presidents Cup 2024: Player Grades and Highlights
As the 15th edition of the Presidents Cup concludes at Royal Montreal, it’s time to evaluate the performances of the players. Utilizing records, strokes-gained statistics, and other critical factors, here’s a detailed breakdown of how each competitor fared.
Top Performers: A+ Grades
Patrick Cantlay (U.S.)
Cantlay delivered an impressive performance, overcoming initial driving difficulties to secure a remarkable 4-1 record. His critical birdie putt on the final hole during Saturday’s foursomes match against Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim stood out as a pivotal moment, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Xander Schauffele (U.S.)
Equally stellar, Schauffele wrapped up his week with a 4-1 record, culminating in a decisive victory over Jason Day. His leadership role was further cemented, highlighting his status as a fearless competitor.
Strong Contributions: A Grades
Russell Henley (U.S.)
In his Presidents Cup debut, Henley impressed with a 3-1 record, showcasing exceptional putting skills that ranked him as the best in that category across both teams (+3.87 strokes gained). His partnership with Scottie Scheffler proved fruitful.
Collin Morikawa (U.S.)
Morikawa also boasted a 4-1 record, although he faced challenges on the greens, losing over 2.5 strokes. Nevertheless, his overall game tee to green was strong enough to maintain his competitive edge.
Noteworthy Mentions: A- Grades
Keegan Bradley (U.S.)
Bradley participated in three matches, winning two, and secured the clinching point. His solid putting and strategic play contributed significantly to the team’s success.
Max Homa (U.S.)
Despite a 1-2 record, Homa ranked third in total strokes gained for the week and led in strokes gained on approach (+6.25). With a more compatible partner, he could have potentially had a better outcome.
Si Woo Kim (Int.)
Kim played a crucial role in boosting his team’s morale, finishing with a 2-2 record and delivering key putts throughout the competition, though he faced a challenging match against Bradley in singles.
Middle of the Pack: B and B+ Grades
Sam Burns (U.S.)
Burns struggled with his irons (-5.99) but managed a commendable 3-0-1 record, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Corey Conners (Int.)
As the standout Canadian player, Conners played all five sessions, finishing with a 2-3 record.
Tom Kim (Int.)
Kim recorded a 1-2-1 tally, showcasing moments of brilliance with Si Woo Kim but also faced challenges that occasionally fueled American momentum.
Scottie Scheffler (U.S.)
Despite earning more points than in his previous cups combined, Scheffler finished with a 5-7-3 record after missing key putts in critical moments.
Underperformers: C and C+ Grades
Wyndham Clark (U.S.)
Clark’s 1-2-1 performance was average, but he managed to get under the skin of some International players, showing an unexpected competitive edge.
Jason Day (Int.)
After a promising start, Day’s impact dwindled significantly, as he failed to contribute effectively in subsequent matches.
Sahith Theegala (U.S.)
Making his Cup debut, Theegala recorded a 1-1-1 record but struggled to make significant birdie contributions.
Struggling Players: D and D+ Grades
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Int.)
Despite having a winning record, Bezuidenhout’s overall performance was poor, ranking as one of the least effective players in the competition.
Tony Finau (U.S.)
Finau’s performance was disappointing, losing nearly five strokes with the putter and finishing with a 2-2 record.
Brian Harman (U.S.)
With the worst performance of the week (-8.54 strokes), Harman went point-less, ending his matches with an 0-3 record.
Summary of Best and Worst Performances
According to the strokes-gained data:
Best Overall Player: Xander Schauffele (U.S.), +8.89
Worst Overall Player: Brian Harman (U.S.), -8.54
Best Putter: Russell Henley (U.S.), +3.87
Worst Putter: Tony Finau (U.S.), -4.53
This Presidents Cup showcased both rising stars and established veterans, with memorable moments that will resonate as players prepare for future competitions.
