Team USA established a narrow 3-2 lead over the International Team following Thursday’s fourballs session, keeping their pursuit of an eleventh consecutive Presidents Cup trophy on track.
The contest at Medinah Country Club proved far more competitive than usual for Brandt Snedeker’s squad, who have historically dominated the biennial event. Despite the challenge, the Americans secured three of the five available points on the opening day.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler ended a winless streak alongside partner Sam Burns by clinching a dramatic victory on the final hole against the pairing of Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im. Lee had previously kept his side in contention with a crucial 50-foot putt on the second hole.
In another key match, Justin Thomas and rookie Jackson Koivun secured a comfortable 4&3 win over Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria, providing early momentum for the United States.
The International Team showed resilience, particularly through the all-Japanese duo of Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune, who defeated Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele 3&1. However, Team USA rebounded as Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa overcame Ryan Fox and Adam Scott by a score of 3&2 to ensure the session was won.
This result continues a recent trend favoring the home side; the United States has held the lead after the first day in nine of the previous ten Presidents Cup tournaments.
Play resumes on Friday evening, with live coverage available from 7pm on Sky Sports Golf.
Nine out of ten times the home side leads after Day 1? I’ll believe it’s a locked-in US victory only when they hoist the trophy.
Medinah always hosts such fierce competitions. It feels like the International Team has a real chance this year.
Scheffler is on another level right now. That final-hole win was absolute nerve-wracking stuff!