Team USA Favored at 2024 Presidents Cup as Scheffler & Morikawa Lead Betting Odds

When the 2024 Presidents Cup Royal Montreal Golf Club, Montreal, Canada rolls around, the betting world is buzzing like a clubhouse after a hole‑in‑one. Team USA walks into the venue with odds ranging from –235 to –400, while the International Team is priced between +240 and +280. A tie? That’s a long‑shot at +1,400. In plain English: the sportsbooks are practically betting on the red, white and blue to keep the trophy.

Betting Landscape and Recent Line Movement

Odds‑shark reports from CBS Sports list Team USA at 2/5 (equivalent to –250), the International squad at 11/4 (+275), and a tie at 16‑1 (+1,600). Over the past three weeks the line has edged farther into American territory – a sign that sharp money is settling on the U.S. side. As of late September, the consensus across major sportsbooks sits at about –250 for the United States, making a straight‑up win the safest play on paper.

Team USA: Roster Depth and Statistical Edge

The American lineup is a who’s‑who of the current world elite. Returning seven‑strong from the 2022 Quail Hollow victory, they also feature two fresh faces who crack the top‑15 rankings. In fact, eight of the twelve U.S. players sit inside the world’s top 15 – a depth advantage that’s hard to match.

Key players include Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1 and Xander Schauffele, World No. 2. Both are expected to appear in at least four of the five match‑play sessions. Pairings such as the Schauffele‑Cantlay duo and the Scheffler‑Burns combo have already been earmarked as likely line‑ups.

Statistically, the U.S. squad dominates three metrics that matter most at Royal Montreal: Driving Accuracy, Strokes Gained: Approach (iron play), and Scrambling. The course rewards precise tee shots – the fairways are narrow, and the greens are notoriously fast. That’s why Collin Morikawa has become the market’s dark horse. Though he’s listed at +650 for top‑U.S. scorer, his 2nd‑place finish in the Driving Accuracy leaderboard and a top‑10 rank in Scrambling make him a potent point‑generator.

International Team: Home‑Field Hopes and Talent Gap

Captained by former British Open champion Mike Weir, the International side draws heavily from the 2022 roster, with eight returning members. Their sole victory in the event’s modern era came at Royal Melbourne in 1998, and they last forced a tie in 2003 – a distant memory for most fans.

The top three International guns are Hideki Matsuyama, who’s had a stellar 2024 season, Adam Scott, playing like a top‑five golfer for the past several months, and Sungjae Im, a rising star with a powerful short‑game. Supporting them are players like Taylor Pendrith, Min Woo Lee, and veteran Jason Day – good enough to keep matches competitive, but not a match for the depth of the Americans.

One advantage the International team can bank on is the raucous Canadian crowd that’s expected to fill the clubhouse. "The atmosphere at Royal Montreal is electric, and the home crowd can swing a few close matches,” said John Kuzma, senior analyst at OddsShark. Still, the talent gap is evident in the numbers: the International side fields only three players inside the top 25, versus eight for the U.S.

Player‑Specific Markets: Who’s the Best Bet?

On the individual front, the market has crowned Scottie Scheffler as the favorite for top U.S. scorer at +450‑+550. The paradox? Scheffler’s Presidents Cup résumé is a puzzling 0‑3‑1 from the 2022 edition. The analyst’s take: "Scheffler’s firepower is undeniable, but his match‑play record is a blemish that makes the +450 line tempting for risk‑averse bettors."

Following him is Xander Schauffele at +550, then Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay both at +650. Morikawa, in particular, is highlighted as "the best player in the world who hasn’t yet won a tournament this year," a narrative that could drive extra points.

On the International side, Matsuyama leads the scoring odds at +850, while Adam Scott sits at +950. Those numbers reflect the underdog premium that sportsbooks apply when the home crowd is involved.

Betting Strategies: Beyond the Straight Win

Pure‑win bets are obvious, but seasoned punters are eyeing the spread. A recommended wager is "U.S. to win by 4‑6 points" at +340 – covering final scores of 17‑13, 18‑12, or 17.5‑12.5 out of 30 matches. The logic? The Americans have a clear edge in depth, but the International squad’s middle order could snatch a few points, keeping the final margin in that sweet spot.

Another angle is the "Top U.S. Scorer" market. If you’re confident Morikawa will punch above his odds, a +650 ticket has a nice risk‑reward profile. Conversely, if you trust Scheffler’s brilliance to shine, the +450 line offers a smaller upside but a higher probability of hitting.

Finally, some sportsbooks are offering a "Tie" option at +1,400. While the odds are steep, the probability of a 15‑15 split isn’t zero – especially if weather forces a shortened format. Keep an eye on the forecast; a rainy Saturday could force a match to be halved, nudging the final tally toward a draw.

What This Means for Fans and the Sport

For the average golf fan, the numbers translate into a stark narrative: Team USA is on a nine‑year winning streak that started back in 2005, and all signs point to a tenth straight victory. That dominance fuels the rivalry, but also places a target on the International shoulders. If the Canadians can steal a few key points, the scoreline could become a thriller, even if the U.S. ultimately lifts the cup.

Beyond the immediate drama, the betting market’s heavy lean toward the United States underscores a broader trend in sports gambling – the willingness to price in depth and statistical advantage over mere brand loyalty. As more data‑driven models become mainstream, we could see even tighter lines in future editions of the Presidents Cup.

• Event: 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club (Sept 27‑30, 2024)
• Team USA odds: –250 to –400 across major sportsbooks
• Top U.S. scorer market: Scheffler (+450‑+550), Morikawa (+650)
• International team's best odds: Hideki Matsuyama (+850)
• Recommended spread bet: U.S. win by 4‑6 points @ +340