MONTREAL — The fog that shrouded the Royal Montreal Golf Club dissipated Saturday morning, unveiling a remarkable performance from the U.S. team in the Presidents Cup.
U.S. Captain Jim Furyk strategically deployed his top players in the opening match, and both Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa rose to the occasion, securing a strong victory of 2 and 1 against Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith.
“The captain instilled confidence in Collin and me to go out and secure a point. Today wasn’t perfect, but we accomplished what we needed to, and that’s the main goal,” Scheffler remarked after the match.
The U.S. took control of the competition by winning three out of four four-ball matches, establishing an 8-6 lead overall. Just seven more points are required for the U.S. to retain the coveted Cup.
Scheffler faced a slow start in the chilly weather, particularly after an hour and 37 minutes of play was halted due to fog. Remarkably, the reigning world No. 1 did not record a single birdie in the first 15 holes. However, he showcased his skills with a precise approach on the 16th, leaving a 10-foot putt that he confidently made to give the U.S. the lead and capped the match with another putt from the front fringe.
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“I felt a bit impatient on the course, particularly while standing on the 15th green thinking, ‘What am I doing?’” Scheffler shared. “I was able to step up with birdies when Collin needed me because he had a tough time earlier, so I was glad to contribute when it mattered.”
In the following match, Americans Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele achieved a decisive 3 and 2 win over Canadians Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes. The Americans took a vital 2-up lead at the turn after making birdie at No. 9. Although the Canadians fought back with a birdie at 11, a missed short putt at 12 by Conners shifted the momentum back to the U.S. Schauffele, who claimed two major titles this year, expressed a strong desire to bounce back after their previous day’s performance.
“It’s essential to have determination. When I look at my teammates, I see a lot of fighters. We’ve shown that so far,” he acknowledged.
Si Woo Kim (R) and Tom Kim of South Korea celebrate during the Saturday Morning Four-Ball at the Presidents Cup on September 28, 2024, at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
A bright spot for the International team was the dynamic South Korean pair of Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim, who convincingly defeated Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark, 4 and 3. They surged ahead by winning the first two holes and maintained control throughout. Tom Kim’s exuberance was contagious as he energized the crowd, celebrating his fifth birdie at No. 14 with a spirited chest bump with Si Woo Kim.
“We have great chemistry and have really connected as a team,” Tom Kim said, proud of their successful effort in securing the lone point for the International side.
In the final matchup, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns triumphed over Sungjae Im and Hideki Matsuyama, winning 2 and 1. Burns’ birdies at Nos. 6 and 8 sparked the U.S. ahead, while Cantlay shone on the back nine, chipping in for eagle at the 12th hole and following it up with three consecutive birdies starting at No. 14, countering any hopes of a comeback from the Internationals.
The U.S. showcased an impressive comeback after their disappointing 5-0 loss in Friday’s foursomes. “Yesterday was a different story,” Morikawa said. “We’ve experienced poor rounds before, and we know how to respond.”
With four more points at stake, Saturday afternoon’s foursomes promise more thrilling golf. The first match is set to commence at 2:20 p.m. ET. International Team Captain Mike Weir opted for consistency, retaining the same four teams from the morning matches, while the U.S. rotated their lineup, sitting Keegan Bradley, Wyndham Clark, Tony Finau, and Sahith Theegala, who did not compete in either session that day.