The International Team hosts the U.S. Team this week at Royal Melbourne for the Presidents Cup. Here’s all you need to know in how the four-day event wil work in Australia. 2019 Format: The Presidents Cup competition consists of 30 matches: Thursday – 5 Four-Ball matches Friday – 5 Foursomes matches Saturday morning – 4 Four-Ball matches Saturday afternoon – 4 Foursomes matches Sunday – 12 Singles matches In 2019, a minor format change will be implemented, stating each player shall only be required to play a minimum of one match prior to the final-round singles matches. This is a change from previous years when players were required to compete in two matches prior to singles matches. All matches are worth one point each, for a total of 30 points. There are no playoffs, with each side receiving a half point if a match is tied after 18 holes. In a change inspired by the events of the 2003 Presidents Cup, if the competition is deadlocked at the end of Singles play, the competition will be deemed a tie and the teams will share the Presidents Cup. FOUR-BALL: Each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved. FOURSOMES: Each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved. SINGLES: Each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved. Unlike stroke play, players don’t have to complete each hole in match play. If a player concedes a stroke – almost always a putt – to his opponent, the opponent picks up his ball, takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and moves on to the next hole. Team: The team is the entire 12 players and captain(s). This year, Tiger Woods is a playing captain for the U.S. Team. Advice: Any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Each team may appoint one person who may give advice to members of that team. Such person must be identified to the Committee before giving advice. Side (not team): A side is a player, or two or more players who are partners (Foursomes or Four-ball) Partner: A partner is a player associated with another player on the same side. Opponent: In match play it is never a competitor, always an opponent or player. Order of Play in Four-Ball: The balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best. Committee: “The Committeeâ€� is the committee in charge of the competition. Referee: The referee is one who is appointed by the committee to accompany players to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. He shall act on any breach of a Rule that he observes or is reported to him. A referee’s decision is final. Observer: An observer is one who is appointed by the Committee to assist a referee to decide questions of fact and report to him any breach of a Rule. Honorary Observer: An honorary observer is one who is appointed by the Committee to assist the observer. Reckoning of Hole (status of match): Reckoning of holes is kept by the terms: so many “holes up,â€� or “tiedâ€� and so many “holes to play.â€� Dormie: A match is dormie when a side is as many holes up as there are holes remaining to be played. Concession of next stroke, hole or match (Rule 2-4): When the opponent’s ball is at rest or is deemed to be at rest under Rule 16-2, the player may concede the opponent to have holed out with his next stroke and the ball may be removed by either side with a club or otherwise. A player may concede a hole or a match at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or the match. Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn. Claims (Rule 2-5): Any claim or dispute which arises between sides shall be made to the referee before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green. Practice (Rule 7) is allowed as follows: 1. Before or between rounds, a player or players may practice on the course. 2. During the round, a player shall not practice either during the play of a hole or between the play of two holes, except that, between play of two holes, the player may practice putting or chipping on or near the putting green of the last hole played, any practice putting green or the teeing ground of the next hole to be played in the round, provided such practice stroke is not played from a hazard and does not unduly delay play. Strokes played in continuing the play of a hole, the result in which has been decided, are not practice

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MELBOURNE, Australia – The five opening Four-Ball matches of this week’s Presidents Cup are now set, with International Captain Ernie Els and U.S. Captain Tiger Woods unveiling their partnerships for the critical opening day at Royal Melbourne. PRESIDENTS CUP: How to watch | Power Rankings | Expert Picks | Data-driven Els | What will Tiger be like as captain? | Inside Internationals’ win in 1998 | Quiz: Who should you cheer for? Here’s a look at each match, along with our staff predictions from onsite writers Ben Everill and Mike McAllister. MATCH 1 MARC LEISHMAN/JOAQUIN NIEMANN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. JUSTIN THOMAS/TIGER WOODS (USA), 5:32 p.m. ET Overview: Woods wanted to go out early as a player so he could get done and resume his captaincy duties as soon as possible. “It was important for me to get out there as a player, but also as a captain, I want to obviously see my guys play,â€� Woods said. “This is my first time as a captain. I want to be able to enjoy that part of it, as well.â€� Woods is playing for the first time with Thomas; it will be Tiger’s 11th different partner in his Presidents Cup career. Woods will also be looking for his first Four-Ball win at Royal Melbourne; he’s 0-4-0 in his two previous appearances here in that format. Leishman, as one of the three Australians on the team, hopes to get the local crowd revved up while playing with Niemann, the Presidents Cup rookie from Chile. Niemann won A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier in his first start of the new PGA TOUR season. Player records: Leishman (3-7-3 overall; 0-4-0 in Four-Balls; Niemann (0-0-0); Thomas (3-1-1 overall; 2-0-0 in Four-Balls); Woods (24-15-1 overall; 7-9-0 in Four-Balls) Ben Everill’s prediction: Halved. Leishman will step up in front of his home crowd and Niemann will relish this challenge. Taking Woods to 18 will kick things off the right way. Mike McAllister’s prediction: USA, 3 and 2. I expect Thomas to be this week’s top player. Partnering with Woods reinforces that thought. MATCH 2 ADAM HADWIN/SUNGJAE IM (INTERNATIONAL) vs. XANDER SCHAUFFELE/PATRICK CANTLAY (USA), 5:47 p.m. ET Overview: Hadwin is determined to make amends after a disappointing performance two years ago in his Presidents Cup debut. He’ll partner the PGA TOUR’s reigning Rookie of the Year, who could be one of Ernie Els’ big performers this week. Im has a win, a runner-up and a third in his last six worldwide starts. The Schauffele-Cantlay partnership seems like two players cut from the same mold, especially from a personality standpoint. Both are low-key, which should help each in handling the excitement of their first Presidents Cup appearances. Both also have similar games, with each ranking inside the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Total last season. Player records: Hadwin (0-2-1 overall; 0-0-0 in Four-Balls); Im (0-0-0); Schauffele (0-0-0); Cantlay (0-0-0) Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 3 and 2. Sungjae Im is going to be the star of the show this week and Hadwin has something to prove. Cantlay will take time to adjust to Royal Melbourne. Mike McAllister’s prediction: USA, 1 up. I can see this one going either way, but the Americans have a bit more experience in winning on TOUR (six combined wins to 1 for the International duo) on their side. MATCH 3 ADAM SCOTT/BYEONG HUN AN (INTERNATIONAL) vs. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU/TONY FINAU (USA), 6:02 p.m. ET Overview: A huge match up in the context of the Cup. Scott must be a leader both on and off the course if he is to get his first victory in his ninth Cup appearance. Taking An under his wing the Australian must produce his best stuff right from the start so the pressure is on. The U.S. pair both made their team debut at last year’s Ryder Cup and will take a level of calmness because of it. But DeChambeau reappeared in his new bulked up body after a lengthy layoff and could only finish 15th of 18 in the Bahamas. Finau’s fall was far from exciting, finishing near the rear of three non-cut events and missing the cut in another. Player Records: Scott (Overall 14-20-5, Four-Ball 3-9-3), An (Overall 0-0-0, Four-Ball 0-0-0), DeChambeau (Overall 0-0-0, Four-Ball 0-0-0), Finau (Overall 0-0-0, Four-Ball 0-0-0). Ben Everill’s prediction: Internationals 3 and 2. Scott knows Royal Melbourne and An wants to prove his worth as a late call up. Despite all of DeChambeau’s physics prowess he needs more time to figure this course out and Finau is rusty. Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 2 and 1. Scott, who hasn’t won a Four-Balls match in this event since 2005, will ride his course knowledge to victory.   MATCH 4 WEBB SIMPSON/PATRICK REED (USA) vs. HIDEKI MATSUYAMA/C.T. PAN (INTERNATIONAL), 6:17 p.m. ET Overview: U.S. Captain Tiger Woods has sent the calm Simpson out to deal with the local crowds who are expected to rise up and get vocal against Reed. It provides a great yin and yang pairing as Reed will thrive under pressure and Simpson can just cruise through it. Matsuyama will be the experienced influence Pan needs on debut just as Pan will be the smiling assassin Matsuyama needs when he fails to meet his own high standards and needs to relax. Player Records: Simpson (Overall 5-3-2, Four-Ball 2-1-1), Reed (Overall 4-3-2, Four-Ball 2-0-1), Matsuyama (Overall 4-6-3, Four-Ball 1-2-2), Pan (Overall 0-0-0, Four-Ball 0-0-0). Ben Everill’s prediction: U.S. 2 and 1. Reed is at his best when under the pump and he has been for a week so it should lead to a gutsy performance. Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 1 up. Matsuyama had a half-point (with Adam Hadwin) against Reed (and Jordan Spieth) two years ago. He gets the full-point this time.   MATCH 5 ABRAHAM ANCER/LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN (INTERNATIONALS) vs. DUSTIN JOHNSON/GARY WOODLAND, 6:32 p.m. ET Overview: The bash brothers from the U.S. up against the smooth swinging Internationals. Johnson hasn’t played since knee surgery after the TOUR Championship in August but Woodland played well in the fall. They say you can’t overpower Royal Melbourne so we are about to find out. Oosthuizen is the International spearhead coming off a runner up last week at the Australian Open. Ancer won the Australian Open the year before. Possibly the best International duo. Player Records: Ancer (Overall 0-0-0, Four-Ball 0-0-0), Oosthuizen (Overall 7-5-3, Four-Ball 3-3-0); Johnson (Overall 8-4-2, Four-Ball 2-3-0), Woodland (Overall 0-0-0, Four-Ball 0-0-0). Ben Everill’s prediction: International 2 up. Oosthuizen is in great form and Ancer has proven his chops in Australian conditions while Johnson will be rusty and lacking touch on a course that demands it. Mike McAllister’s prediction: Internationals, 2 and 1. Oosthuizen is in great form, and Johnson might be rusty. NOT PLAYING Haotong Li and Cameron Smith (Internationals); Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar (USA) It’s probably difficult for Smith, the young Australian, to miss the first day, but Els has seven rookies on his team, so not a surprise that he’s sitting out two of them. The Royal Melbourne fans will still be able to cheer their two veteran Aussies in Adam Scott and Marc Leishman. “There’s enough Australians out there tomorrow to rally a lot of guys,â€� Els said, “but as I said to them, we are all one this week, Australians, South Africans, the whole Internationals.â€� Fowler was the late addition after Brooks Koepka withdrew on the American side and had to shake the rust off last week at the Hero World Challenge. Kuchar hasn’t had a top-10 finish in his last 11 worldwide starts.

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Day 1 of the Presidents Cup from Royal Melbourne in Australia begins today. Here’s everything you need to know to follow the action. Live scores Tee times HOW TO FOLLOW LIVE (All times ET) Television: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. ET (Golf Channel); Thursday, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET (Golf Channel); Friday, 3 p.m. – 2 a.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday, 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET (Golf Channel). PGA TOUR LIVE: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. ET; Thursday, 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET. Twitter window: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. ET; Thursday, 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m. ET; Friday, 3 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET; Saturday, 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m. ET Radio: Wednesday, 6 p.m.-12 a.m. ET; Thursday, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. ET; Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. ET; Saturday, 6 p.m.-12 a.m. ET. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.COM) DAY 1 PAIRINGS/MATCHES (All times ET) Marc Leishman/Joaquín Niemann (INT) vs. Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas (USA) 5:32 p.m. ET Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (USA) vs. Adam Hadwin/Sungjae Im (INT) 5:47 p.m. ET Adam Scott/Byeong Hun An (INT) vs. Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau (USA) 6:02 p.m. ET Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed (USA) vs. Hideki Matsuyama/C.T. Pan (INT) 6:17 p.m. ET Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen (INT) vs. Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland (USA) 6:32 p.m. ET MUST READS Power Rankings Expert Picks Quiz: Which team should you support? Ogilvy: Seven secrets to play Royal Melbourne How will Tiger be as captain? Data-driven Els ready to shake it up Reed ready for raucous crowd Inside International Team’s win in 1998 Sign-up and play Fantasy Golf

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