Potential Presidents Cup Pairings

Later today we're going to discover who the two captains have selected to pair for the foursomes on Thursday. However, we have gotten little pointers and glimpses, and here are the various possibles.

Nick Price has performed it quite close to the vest, in part due to the fact his gamers haven't had much time to exercise collectively until this week. However, sure pairings appear possibly and the exercise rounds Tuesday did nothing to indicate they might not manifest:

• Sterne and Grace: These two rookies have been good friends for the last 7 years and practice together often. With 7 rookies on the roster, Price will have to pair at least 2 rookies together. These two seem to be the most likely.
• Oosthuizen and Schwartzel: A no-brainer. These two are not only good friends but have played as a World Cup team.
• Scott and Matsuyama: This one was rumored as a likely pairing even before this week. The belief is that Scott needs to begin acting as a mentor, and Matsuyama's play would look to be a nice complement to Scott's.
• Day and DeLaet: This one showed up during Tuesday's practice and seems to have potential.

Fred Couples, on the other hand, has specifically mentioned some of his pairings.

• Spieth and Stricker: This one seemed likely when the two played some matches against Phil and Keegan at the Tour Championship, and Freddie has specifically mentioned it several times since.

Mickelson and Bradley: After that performance at the last Ryder Cup, did anybody ever doubt this one?

Johnson and Dufner: Another successful pairing from the last Ryder Cup.

Woods and Kuchar: This one became a rumor after Stricker and Spieth became a possibility. Then on Tuesday, the two were seen practicing with each other's golf balls -- a likely indication that the two will at least play some foursomes together.

Dufner has also made no secret that he'd like to pair with Tiger, and the two have spent a fair amount of time practicing together. When you consider the fact that one of Tuesday's practice groups included Woods, Kuchar, Dufner, and assistant captain Davis Love III -- standing in for Zach Johnson, who arrived late after recovering from a stomach bug -- it's possible that Freddie may consider these four interchangeable. (In fact, Zach apparently played a few holes with Tiger Tuesday afternoon.)

Of path, each captain has appropriate motives to be a bit deceptive approximately his pairings, possibly in hopes of making it a piece tougher for the opposite aspect to prepare. But since anyone has to play every session on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (there may be an opportunity for a few guys to sit down all through the double session on Saturday), I do not assume both facet has lots to gain through doing so. And despite the fact that they did, the practice groupings on Tuesday and Wednesday could tip their arms.

At any charge, we're going to get our solutions later nowadays. I suppose they're purported to announce the Thursday pairings at noon.