After a huge fight, Team USA takes the option before the last day

Share this article

Share the post “After a huge fight, Team USA takes the option before the last day”

After being swept 5-0 by the American team in Thursday’s four-ball session, the international team made history and also swept the Americans 5-0 on Friday to tie the game at 5-all. Saturday morning, during the four-ball session, the United States found its cruising speed, with a score of 3-1, before also winning the afternoon foursomes session (3-1) for bring the score to 11-7 heading into Sunday’s singles.

Four bullets: America strikes back, the Kims put up resistance

Scottie Scheffler et Collin Morikawa had the heavy task of assuming from the outset the role of dynamiters of the international revolt on Saturday morning, after the defeats of the day before. Opposed to Pendrith et Scottthe match was very close for a long time before the world number 1 put his foot on the accelerator. Not a birdie in the morning for 15 holes before signing two in quick succession on holes 16 and 17 to win 2&1 to regain the advantage in the score, and post the first point of this third day.

Very close to Scheffler in the world rankings, and just behind him on the course Xander Schauffele served as a fire extinguisher to put out the Canadian fire named Conners/Hughes started the day before in a foursome. Related to Tony Finauthe two-time Major winner this year played serious, strategic golf, often taking advantage of opposing errors to score easy points. Result a success without forcing 3&2 and a second point in the morning in the USA purse.

Faced with so much red on the leaderboard, the internationals react in match 3 with the 100% Korean and 100% Kimwith Si Woo et Tom. Insolent success on the greens, bosses of the energy department of the team Mike Weir both men crushed the pair Keegan Bradley / Wyndham Clark 4&3. A victory to stop the American progression on the scoreboard, and try to influence the score of the last game still on the meadow in the morning…

An opposing match Patrick Cantlay et Sam Burns facing Hideki Matsuyama et Sungjae Im. After a significant number of transfers of power in the last match of the morning, the turning point came near the 12th green with a chip-in for eagle from Cantlay. Confidence finally regained after his debacle the day before, the Californian then resisted a comeback until the 17th to sign a 2&1 victory, and a 3-1 success in the morning session in 4 balls.

Foursomes: Huge Kims were not enough, the USA consolidates their lead

Returned to everyone’s surprise after a very complicated morning (one of the 3 worst overall SGs of the morning) Taylor Pendrith was able to draw from deep within himself the resources to once again live up to his partnership with the living legend Adam Scott . Pushed to 18 by the duo Max Homa-Brian Harmanthe Canadian-Australian pair then made it possible to grab a new point with a 2up victory, and to return at this moment to 8-7 overall.

Mike Weir undoubtedly regretted not having launched a 100% Canadian duo from the start, and it was not the defeat in the morning that was going to make him change his mind. Hughes and Conners, thrown into battle together again, this time had to come up against Morikawa/Burns. Paid choice… until hole number 18 where the decision takes place. Bogey of the Internationals, by for the USA. 1-1 in foursomes on Saturday, 9-7 overall.

If there was only one match to remember from this day, it would be this one. Saturday foursomes popcorn match 3. The Schauffele/Cantlay ice team for the USA, facing the Korean Kim/Kim in fusion for one of the best matches in the history of the Presidents Cup. 11 birdies in total, flags planted everywhere, putts taken in all directions and incredible chip-ins. Thanks for the show gentlemen. And yes, there it is, because the big winner of this match was ultimately our beloved sport, which came out even bigger after this Saturday at Royal Montréathe… American victory 1up by a birdie at the 18th.

In the last match of the day, Scottie Scheffler came to confirm that he was on a mission, wanting to erase from collective memories as much as from his own, his recent misadventures in team competition. Again associated with Russel Henleythe world number 1 made the valiant but visibly too rinsed Matsuyama/Im bite the dust. 3&2 success to bring the score before Sunday’s singles to 11/7 in favor of the Americans.