I can only think that Michael chose by going with the competitor that didn't hit the target during the match. I'm guessing here, but how could he in good conscience pick the guy who sat out, or the two guys who made their shots? Cliff was the guy who missed, regardless of the difficulty of his part of the team challenge.
Michael's biggest mistake was changing the way he was holding the Schofield during the challenge. He practiced one way, and then shot the challenge differently. I'm sure he thought the railing would help, but stick with what you practiced. Any instructor will tell you that.
I knew they wouldn't since none of the other "experts" have done so, but I was kind of hoping they'd let Jerry show off a little speedshooting. Oh well.