The Presidents Cup - America vs. The World

It may be October, but golf betting has never been hotter with The Presidents Cup this week. The United States takes on the best international players, excluding Europe, at Harding Park Golf Club in San Francisco, California.

This match play tournament has been dominated by the Americans in recent years. The United States has won three of the last four Presidents Cups, which happen every two years, and has claimed the trophy in five of the last seven tournaments. In 2007, the U.S. Defeated the international team 19.5 to 14.5.

Harding Park Golf Club is situated on a peninsula and stretches over 7,000 total yards with a par of 72. It hosted the WGC-CA Championship back in 2005, an event won by Tiger Woods (finished 10-under par), who leads a star-studded American roster into this week's event.

The United States is a -350 favorite to win the 2009 Presidents Cup while the International team is priced at +250. A draw, which happened in 2003, is listed at +1800.

Woods is a +350 favorite to claim the top American finish. He's coming off a FedExCup title with a second-place finish at The Tour Championship at the end of September. Woods has an average score of 68 this year and will take advantage of his power off the tee box. He ranks 20 th in driving distance with an average drive of over 298 yards.

The Americans’ honorary captain, Michael Jordan, who is a good friend of Woods, told reporters that Tiger was very focused during his practice rounds and is taking the team competition seriously.

Joining Woods on the U.S. roster is Phil Mickelson, who finished third in the money standings and second in FedExCup points. Lefty is priced at +550 to claim top American honors and is coming off a win at The Tour Championship – his first win since March.

Mickelson is dealing with a nagging back injury heading into The Presidents Cup but has worked with Tom Boers, a Tour back specialist, and is ready to lead the Americans to another tournament title.

The International squad also has its big names; South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, along with Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, are all priced at +650 to finish as the top International player.

Els wrapped 2009 32 nd on the money list and placed 16 th in FedExCup points. He closed with a ninth-place showing at The Tour Championship, giving him an average score just over 70 on the season. He has remained in form by globetrotting to European Tour events and had to travel across eight time zones to eventually make his way to San Francisco for his sixth Presidents Cup appearance.

Goosen finished the PGA schedule with some disappointing performances, bumping his average score to 70. He's making his fifth Presidents Cup appearance and was one of the International's best in 2007's tournament. Goosen went head-to-head with Jim Furyk and won on the final day, helping the International team to pull to within five points.

Ogilvy is determined to end the Americans' recent string of success. The Aussie was a rookie at 2007's Presidents Cup and closed the tournament with a head-to-head win over Steve Stricker. Ogilvy, who ranked seventh on the money list in 2009, has tried to spark interest in the International team through the media.

The 2006 U.S. Open champ told reporters he'd like to see a bit more animosity between the teams like bettors see in the Ryder Cup, which pits the U.S. against the top European players. Ogilvy could get what he asked for if he draws Tiger Woods in match play.