MELBOURNE, Australia - Rex Hoggard gives predictions for Day 3 foursomes at the Presidents Cup (all times Eastern; local time 16 hours ahead):
3 p.m.: Bubba Watson-Webb Simpson (U.S.) vs. Robert Allenby-Geoff Ogilvy (International)
The line: Why the rookies again? Why not? The eclectic duo is perfect at Royal Melbourne and rolled, 4 and 2, in the opening foursome match, but the Aussies were built for this. Ogilvy grew up on Royal Melbourne and Allenby is a two-time winner here. Internationals, 2 and 1.
3:12 p.m.: Bill Haas-Matt Kuchar (U.S.) vs. Ernie Els-Ryo Ishikawa (International)
The line: It’s a testament to Els’ leadership that he asked to be paired again with the Japanese phenom despite an 0-2 record this week, but Haas has shown a lot of moxie for a rookie and Kuchar has delivered 1 ½ points for the United States. U.S., 1 up.
3:24 p.m.: Hunter Mahan-David Toms (U.S.) vs. Retief Goosen-Charl Schwartzel (International)
The line: The South Africans clipped the American duo on Friday, 2 and 1, and Mahan seemed to be thrown by the partisan Oz galleries. Unless the Americans can rekindle their foursome magic from Day 1 this may be a quick match. Internationals, 3 and 2.
3:36 p.m.: Tiger Woods-Dustin Johnson (U.S.) vs. Adam Scott-K.J. Choi (International)
The line: In Tiger vs. Stevie II, the Internationals will have their hands full. This will not be another 7-and-6 walkover considering the way Woods hit the ball on Friday, but Scott and Choi proved to be perhaps the International side’s most formidable tandem. Internationals, 1 up.
3:48 p.m.: Jim Furyk-Phil Mickelson (U.S.) vs. Aaron Baddeley-Jason Day (International)
The line: The American team staples have been unstoppable so far and Lefty’s late-afternoon session on the practice putting green on Saturday may be all one needs to know about his drive to win. Baddeley was the International star on Day 2 but Day continues to struggle with his ballstriking. U.S., 2 and 1.
Sitting out: Not playing Saturday’s foursomes session: Steve Stricker and Nick Watney for the United States and K.T. Kim and Y.E. Yang for the Internationals.
Watch wall-to-wall coverage of the Presidents Cup live on Golf Channel. Tournament air times: Golf Channel Friday 3PM-midnight and Saturday 6:30PM-12:30AM. NBC coverage Saturday at 8AM and Sunday at noon. (Note: all times are ET)