Even the top-ranked golfer in the world couldn’t withstand the onslaught from the International Team on Friday afternoon in Quebec.
Following another remarkable day at Royal Montreal, a fierce battle for the Presidents Cup has emerged.
The International Team, spearheaded by an impressive 7&6 triumph from Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im, swept the Americans in Friday’s foursomes matches. This not only marked the International Team’s first triumph in an alternate shot match session since 2005 but also set a historic precedent with back-to-back sweeps, a first in Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup history.
With a clutch putt from Si Woo Kim capping off the day, the competition is now deadlocked at 5-5 halfway through.
“I believed in the guys,” International captain Mike Weir said. “Whether it was 3-2, 4-1, 5-0 was obviously a bonus [for us today]. We just wanted to get ourselves back in this. The guys played unbelievable, they really responded incredibly.”
Matsuyama and Im set the tone for the day and wasted no time. The duo cruised to what equaled the largest margin of victory in Presidents Cup history, needing just 12 holes to dismantle Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele and secure the first points for their team.
It was a display of dominance as Cantlay and Schauffele failed to win a single hole in the match, while Matsuyama and Im rattled off seven consecutive birdies to seal the deal. The celebration on the 12th green was a testament to their 7&6 win, a feat achieved only twice before by International pairings in Presidents Cup history.
Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes weren’t far behind, shutting out Wyndham Clark and Tony Finau in their match. The Canadians claimed victory on holes 1, 2, 5, 8, and 9 before Conners sank a deep birdie putt at the 11th to clinch a commanding 6&5 win.
Although slow to start, Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith triumphed over Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa 5&4 in their match. Scott and Pendrith surged ahead by winning holes 4, 5, and 6 after a tight start and then secured three consecutive wins at the start of the back nine to close out the match early. Theegala and Morikawa managed to win just one hole, the 7th, the lone victory for the United States among the three blowout matchups.
Scott’s win made him the most successful International player in Presidents Cup history, surpassing Ernie Els’ record of 21 points.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Jason Day sealed a 1UP victory over Max Homa and Brian Harman after a late surge, bringing the International team within striking distance. In the closest match of the day, Kim and An overtook Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley down the stretch. After trading holes on the front nine, Kim and An birdied the 13th to take control.
Despite a stumble on the 18th, Kim’s clutch par putt sealed the victory, completing the session sweep and etching their names in history.
The Americans boast a dominant 12-1-1 record in the Presidents Cup, riding a nine-match winning streak into this weekend’s event in Canada. Following Friday’s events, the U.S. Team must deliver a strong performance early on Saturday to regain control of the tournament. Otherwise, the 12 singles matches on Sunday promise to be riveting.