This is just the second American team competition appearance for Brandt Snedeker, but if he continues his form, it’s hard to envision a team over the next decade without him. That’s because he’s possibly the most consistent American golfer in the world, stacking up cash and wins over the past two years to jump ahead of all his contemporaries in that second tier behind Phil and Tiger.
2013 Presidents Cup: Brandt Snedeker will lead it off for American team
The No. 2 qualifier behind Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker could be a mainstay for years to come in American team competitions. But can he shake a terrible track record at Muirfield Village this week?
Player previews for both 12-man teams
As Presidents Cup week continues, we'll roll individual previews for all 24 players competing in Columbus. Do the Internationals have the depth to make this competitive again? Snedeker and Matt Kuchar have been the two most automatic players on Tour, but can the Vandy product translate that to match play this week. His debut at the Ryder Cup last year occurred right after he’d won the TOUR Championship and FedExCup to bank a career $10 million payday. But the results were mixed, with nerves showing at times for one of the best putters in the game.
If we’re observing the “horses for courses” rule, the outlook is not positive for Snedeker this week. He’s never made the weekend at the Memorial tournament, missing five cuts and withdrawing once in six appearances. That’s ... a startling track record for someone so successful and typically consistent. He’ll be paired with Hunter Mahan at the start of the week, two of the wild card players for Fred Couples who don’t necessarily have a natural partner like many of the other American team members.
Only Tiger Woods had more points in Presidents Cup qualifying, but many of those were racked up during better form earlier in the season. Putting is typically the difference in match play, where pars are saved and holes are halved to deflate opponents. And there’s no better putter in the 24-man competition than Snedeker. He may match up with multiple people, but it’s Mahan at the start on Thursday in a huge lead-off match.
World Ranking: 9
Qualified: Automatic spot No. 2 of 10
Presidents Cup Match Play Record: This is his debut.
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