Every take on this board is an exact quote with its date and a link to the original clip or transcript. Hot takes are open and unresolved. Accurate and bad takes are graded only after the result is settled — and only when the quote, date, and receipt are all in hand. No receipt, no verdict.
Hot takes
24
Chris Solomon · No Laying Up (Ep. 1213)
“Min Woo Lee, I just don't think he's good at golf.”
What happened: Said on the Day 1 live show after Lee and Sungjae Im lost 1-up to Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns on Thursday. Tron Carter agreed on the same episode: “I don't think he's a proper player” (~00:31:41) and “he's got all the shots until it's time to hit him. And then he like just kind of disappears” (~00:32:21). Friday: Lee and Ryan Fox beat Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark 1-up in foursomes, 6-under with no bogeys — early evidence against the take. Lee is 1–1 for the week.
Paul McGinley · Golf Channel (Live From The Presidents Cup)
“America is going to win because they're so good and Scottie Scheffler is so good that he's going to have a good Presidents Cup here, and the opposition is not that strong.”
What happened: Said on Golf Channel's Live From The Presidents Cup on Day 1. Trending wrong: the Internationals swept Friday foursomes 5–0 and lead 7–3; Scheffler is 1–1 for the week. Caveat: the U.S. were heavy favorites, so the spicy part is the dismissiveness — “the opposition is not that strong” — not the pick itself.
“I'm predicting the USA to win the Presidents Cup by six points, with an 18-12 victory available at 12/1.”
What happened: Published September 23 in GolfMagic's Presidents Cup betting tips, arguing “across 30 matches, I expect the depth of the American side to once again prove decisive, especially on home soil.” Alive but unlikely: the U.S. sits on 3 points and needs 15 of the remaining 20 to reach 18.
Paul McGinley · Golf Channel (Live From The Presidents Cup)
“The best player in the world, but not the best team player. His team play record is very average, Brandel”
What happened: Said on Live From the Presidents Cup after Thursday's session, adding he is 'not intimidated playing Scottie in match-play' because 'he hasn't proved himself yet in team events.' Holding up: Scheffler is 1–8 in career Presidents Cup foursomes and went 1–1 through two days.
“If the Americans don't take care of business early, they will feel the pressure the rest of the way.”
What happened: The only Golfweek staffer (of seven) to pick the Internationals (+550): 'the vibes have been so off for U.S. teams in these competitions lately that I'm willing to take a chance on a clear underdog.' Quote verified verbatim on the page.
“All we need now is the Internationals to do it in a couple of weeks. That would be great.”
What happened: Said at Wentworth, after Europe's Solheim Cup and the Walker Cup wins. The Internationals lead 7–3 with their largest-ever lead through two sessions.
“I'm seeing some value with Si Woo Kim. He's absolutely the best international player and was first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained around the green this year.”
What happened: Pick: Si Woo Kim, top International scorer. Kim won Thursday and Friday — 2 points, pacing the Internationals with three sessions left.
What happened: Fore Play's 'closest to the pin' prop: International points going into Sunday singles (~01:41:29). Frankie's 8 is the only call still alive — it needs the Internationals to earn exactly 1 point across Saturday's 8 matches.
“On paper this shouldn't even be that close but the International side can count on solid weeks from Ryan Fox, Si Woo Kim and veteran Adam Scott, who at 46 is likely playing his final Presidents Cup. But the American depth is too much to overcome.”
What happened: Punch Shot panel prediction: U.S. 17½–12½. Alive — the U.S. needs 14.5 of the remaining 20 — but the 'shouldn't even be that close' framing is already contradicted at 7–3.
“Sure, the Internationals have had some success in PGA Tour play this season, but the stardom the U.S. possesses is too great to ignore. While the Presidents Cup will be far from as rowdy as the Ryder Cup was, American fans will be pushing their golfers along to hoist the trophy. Sportsbooks have cooled off on the United States' favored line, and the team's odds as an underdog is all-time great value.”
What happened: Sporting News betting columnist Andrew Gitto's Round 3 preview, published the evening of September 25, 2026, after the International Team's 5-0 Friday foursomes sweep put the U.S. down 7-3 at Medinah.
“If not now, then when? The U.S. team needs to lock in, put their heads down, and play the best golf of their lives. After possessing a 3-2 lead after Day 1, the Americans failed to win a single foursome match on Friday, and Saturday's slate at Medinah will start with them playing from a 7-3 deficit. The first part of Day 3 will feature the four-ball format that Team USA prospered in on the first day. They'll have to pick up the loose ends when it comes to the foursome play later that same day. They should still garner enough points to walk away as Saturday's winner.”
What happened: Same Sporting News Round 3 preview; Gitto's best bet was Team USA as Saturday's outright session winner (-165 on BetMGM).
“The Kim duo has dominated play during the first two days of the Presidents Cup. After they walloped Chris Gotterup and Patrick Cantlay 3 and 2 after Thursday's four-ball session, they made matters worse by decimating Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 4 and 3 during Friday's foursomes. Clark and Morikawa were one of the three U.S. duos to win the majority of holes during Thursday's four-ball, but Kim and Kim have just been too dominant to ignore.”
What happened: Same Sporting News preview; Gitto picked Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim over Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa in the Saturday morning four-ball match (+105 on DraftKings).
“So is this an opportunity to buy low on the home team to lift the trophy? I tend to side with Snedeker's frequently-issued precept that the competition is not even halfway over yet, with 20 points still up for grabs. It's hard to envision a day going worse for the Americans than what we saw on Friday, and my expectation is that the U.S. Team turns the tide in their favor over the eight total matches being played on Saturday. They'll certainly be the betting favorite in a vast majority of the 12 Singles matches come Sunday. The Internationals have impressed through two days, but from a betting perspective this feels like an opportunity to back the Americans at a steep discount. Take the U.S. to win the Presidents Cup (+126).”
What happened: PGA Tour's 'Draws and Fades' betting column previewing Saturday's sessions, published September 25, 2026, after the International Team's 5-0 Friday foursomes sweep at Medinah.
“This is an incredible dichotomy, as Thomas largely carried Koivun on Thursday but was one of the worst players on course on Friday. Im has been impressive through two matches, and this feels like a real opportunity for the Internationals to build upon their momentum.”
What happened: Same 'Draws and Fades' column; Gray's analysis of the Saturday morning four-ball matchup between Min Woo Lee/Sungjae Im and Justin Thomas/Jackson Koivun, with the pick line 'Pick: Lee/Im +106'.
What happened: Golfbet 'Draws and Fades' column's Saturday four-ball pick for Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa vs. Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim, published September 25, 2026; the match was played Saturday morning, September 26, at Medinah.
What happened: Same column's Saturday four-ball pick for Chris Gotterup and Cameron Young vs. Nick Taylor and Corey Conners, published September 25, 2026; the match was played Saturday morning, September 26, at Medinah.
What happened: Same column's Saturday four-ball pick for Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns vs. Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune, published September 25, 2026; the match was played Saturday morning, September 26, at Medinah.
“Through two days, Schauffele and Cantlay rank near the bottom of the U.S. team in strokes gained despite entering the week as two of its most trusted team-competition players. If that continues into the weekend, the Americans will be vulnerable to an upset.”
What happened: Golfweek column grading Day 2's winners and losers, published September 25, 2026, after the International Team's 5-0 Friday foursomes sweep at Medinah.
“A U.S. victory is expected in this event. An American loss would be among the most surprising results in Presidents Cup history, making Saturday's lineup decisions critical as the Internationals carry momentum into the weekend.”
What happened: Same Golfweek column, on the pressure facing the U.S. and captain Brandt Snedeker entering Saturday.
“Like the market, I give the narrowest of edges to the USA in this format, but I don't know as anyone should be in a rush to oppose these two Koreans, who are going to be vital as the Internationals seek to end their losing run. Verdict: USA 1up”
What happened: Sporting Life Saturday four-ball preview, published September 26, 2026, before the morning matches at Medinah.
“Day 3 Foursomes Winner, U.S. (+105, FanDuel) — The final format of the team matches is Saturday afternoon at Medinah. The crowds should be electric, maximizing the home course advantage. Take the United States' best format against the Internationals and the plus odds.”
What happened: Golf Digest Presidents Cup betting preview (Read The Line), published September 23, 2026; Stewart picked the U.S. to win Saturday afternoon's foursomes session.
“I still think the U.S. is going to win. I don't think it's going to be a runaway. I don't think it's going to be a blowout.”
What happened: No Laying Up episode 1214, a live show recorded after the International Team's 5-0 Friday foursomes sweep put the U.S. down 7-3 at Medinah; Soly reaffirmed his pre-event U.S. pick during an on-record round of winner picks.
“The Americans are feeding off that home turf Chi-town energy this week and will score to match His Airness.”
What happened: Punch Shot prediction: U.S. 23–7. Mathematically dead — the Internationals already have 7 points; it requires the USA to win every remaining match.
What happened: Prop: International points going into Sunday singles (~01:41:29). The Internationals reached 7 before Saturday's 8 matches were played — already impossible.
What happened: Prop: International points going into Sunday singles (~01:41:29). The Internationals reached 7 before Saturday's matches — already impossible.
What happened: Prop: International points going into Sunday singles (~01:41:29). Requires the Internationals to be shut out across all 8 Saturday matches — functionally dead.
“I think the biggest drama on Sunday will be whether the United States can break the all-time margin of victory (11 points in the 32-point format back in 2000), and whether they can get to 20 points for the first time in what is now the seventh President Cup in the 30-point format.”
What happened: ESPN Research's correct-score pick: U.S. 19.5–INT 10.5. The margin-of-victory discussion is inverted with the Internationals leading 7–3.
“It's been Harlem Globetrotters against the Washington Generals, one of the most predictable results in sports and I don't see any reason why that will change this time at Medinah.”
What happened: Picked USA (-600). A 7–3 International lead with a historic 5–0 foursomes sweep is the opposite of Globetrotters-vs.-Generals. Quote verified verbatim on the page.
“Our Eamon Lynch said this week that the worst thing for the Presidents Cup would be an International upset of the Americans. Good news, Eamon. That won't happen.”
What happened: Picked USA (-600). The International upset he dismissed is now the live scenario at 7–3. Quote verified verbatim on the page.
“The Presidents Cup could really use a good competition, but the chances of that happening are low. The Americans are the much-better team, and even with a lot of the team coming in having not played since the Tour Championship or before, it's hard to see a scenario where the Internationals pull off the upset.”
What happened: Picked USA (-600). The scenario he couldn't see is now the most plausible outcome at 7–3. Quote verified verbatim on the page.
Paul McGinley · Golf Channel (Live From The Presidents Cup)
“I think (Scottie) Scheffler and (Sam) Burns should be too strong for (Corey) Conners and (Nick) Taylor, they're going to need a Houdini act if they're going to get anything out of that.”
What happened: Day 2 foursomes preview on Live From: also called Thomas/Young 'too strong' for Scott/Bezuidenhout and predicted a 3–2 session to tie it up. Both named U.S. wins lost; Friday went 0–5 to the Internationals.
Brandel Chamblee · Golf Channel (Live From The Presidents Cup)
“not like climbing Mt Everest, it's more like Mt Olympus on Mars”
What happened: Said on Live From the Presidents Cup about the challenge facing Ogilvy's Internationals (quote confirmed on the opened page). The 'near-impossible mountain' is looking climbable at 7–3.
Brandel Chamblee · Golf Channel (Live From The Presidents Cup)
“The big difference between the International side and the US side, a massive difference, has been the foursomes”
What happened: Said on Live From after Day 1, framing foursomes as the U.S. edge. The Internationals swept Friday foursomes 5–0 — the 'massive difference' now runs the other way. Note: quote verbatim from indexed article text; the page returned 404 on direct U.S. fetch (likely geo-block).
“Wyndham Clark played exceptional golf in Thursday's four-ball. He's a stone-cold killer, and you can tell he cares more than anybody. He's been by far the best player on the team so far, and I don't see how Fox and Lee compete with him in this matchup.”
What happened: Picked Clark/Morikawa over Fox/Lee on Friday. Fox and Lee beat them 1-up in the sweep.
“I just have a hard time seeing Conners and Taylor earning a point in this one.”
What happened: Picked all four Friday matches for the USA: Scheffler/Burns, Henley/Bridgeman, Clark/Morikawa, Young/Thomas. All four lost in the 5–0 sweep.
“With Friday switching to foursomes (alternate shot), pressure rises on each individual member and one guy can't carry his playing partner as he could on Thursday.”
What happened: Pick: USA Day 2 winner (-165). His core foursomes logic inverted completely — the Internationals swept 5–0.
“To me, Sam Burns, Scottie, and Wyndham Clark, those are your horses, and Cam Young. If Cam Young's putting is back, those are your four guys that you play in every single session.”
What happened: Named his four every-session U.S. horses. The anointed core underdelivered: the USA were swept 5–0 in Friday foursomes and trail 7–3.
“when you look at the back half of the lineup for the International team, those six to 12 guys, they have to step up in such a big way to be able to do away with the advantages that they have from a depth standpoint for the United States.”
What happened: Framed the International back six as needing a near-miracle to overcome U.S. depth. They delivered exactly that in the 5–0 Friday sweep; the Internationals lead 7–3.
“He's a perfect stylistic and statistical fit to lead the tournament in points.”
What happened: Pick: Xander Schauffele, top overall scorer. Schauffele sat at 0 points after two sessions, including Friday's 4&3 loss with Cantlay — near-dead.
“There's something about these Kims, man. They just care so much more, and you can feel their chemistry. With Cantlay's continued putting woes and Xander's poor play, I'm confident the Kims will earn their second point in this year's Presidents Cup.”
What happened: Picked Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim over Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in Friday foursomes. The Kims won 4&3.
“Thursday Leader Pick: USA (-152 at DraftKings | Play to -165)”
What happened: His pre-tournament Day 1 call hit — the U.S. took Thursday 3–2. (His Day 2 pick of the U.S. in foursomes is graded separately, and went very badly.)
“Team USA has won nine of the 10 opening-day matches in the past two Presidents Cups, and having five matches means the Internationals' lack of depth will be on full display with 10 of their 12 players hitting Medinah on Thursday.”
What happened: Picked Team USA to win Day 1. The U.S. won Thursday four-ball 3–2.