The Americans get their biggest road win and win the Presidents Cup for the 10th time
MONTREAL (AP) – U.S. captain Jim Furyk lifted the gold trophy in front of a red-shirted team that filled the scoreboard early with red scores. The Presidents Cup is America's one trophy, for two decades and counting.
It didn't feel like any other way for Royal Montreal, with 20 of 30 matches — nine of them Sunday — not decided until at least the 17th hole.
Score otherwise recommended: US 18 1/2, International 11 1/2.
It was the largest margin of victory for the Americans on the road in the Presidents Cup — even if it was just north of the border — and their 10th straight win.
Xander Schauffele, a double major this year, was tapped to lead the way and Jason Day delivered four birdies to set the tone in a 4-and-3 victory. Patrick Cantley was bogey-free with seven birdies, three in the last four holes, for a 3-and-1 victory over Taylor Pendrith.
Perhaps fittingly, the clinching point came from Keegan Bradley, who had gone 10 years without competing for the US team and had already been recruited. Ryder Cup captain for next year. He thought he might never play in another cup again and was excited when he beat Si Woo Kim on the 18th hole.
“We talked about taking care of business today, and we all went out there and did it. I was lucky to be in that place back in the day, but really a defining moment in my life,” Bradley said. “The last time I played in one of these I was the clinching point for the Europeans in the Ryder Cup. Fast forward 10 years later, and I had to do it today.
“Truly something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
For Americans, it was old hat. Max Homa finished the scoring with his first point of the week, a 2-and-1 win over Mackenzie Hughes. They have won four of the five sessions, with the internationals picking up most of their points in Friday's 5-0 shutout in four matches.
“These guys are very good, but you know, they can play flat,” Furyk said. “When it was tough, anytime the internationals put pressure on us, they played their (tails) for us. I am very proud to be a part of it.”
The Internationals needed everything to go right in Royal Montreal. All they can manage is a good fight, more tight matches, but still no cup.
It was their only victory since these matches for players from all over Europe at Royal Melbourne in 1998, long before Tiger Woods made his Presidents Cup debut. The US winning streak dates back to 2005.
“A lot of these matches were very close,” international captain Mike Ware said. Not winning is disappointing. We put our team together to win this thing, and when you don't get a win, it's disappointing, but a lot of great things to take away.”
When Europe won the Ryder Cup in France five years ago, the Americans beat Furyk. This is a new team – a young team – free of distractions, full of confidence having won every President's Cup since 2005
“The matches really come down to some special moments,” Furyk said. “For one reason or another, these guys usually play loose in the Presidents Cup, they let it fly and we were able to win some key points, make some key putts.”
Furyk dispatched Schaffel in the opening match and the cool Californian made five birdies in eight holes to seize early control. He holed a 45-foot birdie putt on the opening hole with Day in close birdie range, a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fifth to take his first lead and never let his foot off the gas.
“All 12 of us can compete,” Schaffel said. “My goal was just to set the tone, get red on that board as quickly as possible, and I was able to do that.”
Sam Barnes was the only player to remain unbeaten this week, halving his match with Tom Kim. The 22-year-old South Korean hit a tee shot to within 3 feet on the par-3 17th to take a 1-up lead. Barnes also hit pitching wedges next to the flag for matching birdies.
Kim has been a spark for internationals with his fist pumps and the way he poked Scheffler with his celebrations in the opening session. He said the tide would turn at some point and the 22-year-old South Korean firmly believed it would on Sunday.
Not just this Sunday.
“When you lose so many times, I think there's always a story where people come back. “Winning doesn't last forever,” Kim said. “There are going to be times where lip-outs are going to go our way. A few breaks, a few bounces are going to go our way and that's going to make a difference. We play great and we fall short sometimes, but I'm not losing hope.
The Internationals picked up a point in the battle of the masters champions when Hideki Matsuyama took down Scotty Scheffler and Corey Connors eased Tony Finau to victory. But they trailed 11-7 going into 12 singles. It's not going to be enough.
Now the internationals will have to wait another two years until the 2026 match in Medina outside Chicago.
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