President’s Cup: International Team LEVELS United States with Reverse Sweep

Day two of the President’s Cup has concluded, and it’s ended with the unthinkable: the International Team has leveled the United States with a reverse sweep, bringing the competition to 5-5 after being swept on Thursday by the Americans.

It looked to be a comfortable coast to yet another American victory in the event overall — it would be the U.S.’s fifteenth win in the past seventeen President’s Cups.

However, the International squad came into Friday with a chip on its shoulder, leveling the Americans as we head into Saturday:

Schauffele/Cantlay vs. Matsuyama/Im

Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay were dominated by Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im 7&6.

The Americans had no answer for the Internationals, dropping the match in just 12 holes.

The International Team set the tone early, winning five of the first eight holes. The Americans were unable to stop the bleeding and fell further behind. It was over just after they took the turn:

Bringing the crowd to their feet 🔥@HidekiOfficial_ | @IntlTeam https://t.co/1OfTmdD20g pic.twitter.com/os64oeoOz5

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 27, 2024

Theegala/Morikawa vs. Pendrith/Scott

Pendrith and Scott outlasted Theegala and Morikawa 5&4. Adam Scott, a President’s Cup legend for the International Team, continued his rich career of showing up when it counted.

Although it was not as bad as the previously discussed matchup, it was not good for the Americans. They were unable to get anything going, and this pairing looked relatively flat.

There was no scrap in the Theegala/Morikawa side. The match was decided with a chip that needed to go in — it was left short.

After the match, Scott said, “This team knows what it’s capable of now.”

Homa/Harman vs. Bezuidenhout/Day

An odd pairing for the Americans. Homa has been one of the less consistent players this year, and Harman is at a distinct disadvantage off the tee. The U.S. would have been happy to get out with half a point here.

It didn’t happen.

Won on the last hole, Bezuidenhout and Day were able to edge out the Americans with a last-ditch effort.

Bezuidenhout was shaky through the last nine, and Day truly shined.

Jason Day with an excellent pitch from the rough on 18 to seal a 1UP win. 🇦🇺 #IntlTeam

📺 Golf Channel 📱 NBC Sports app | #PresidentsCup pic.twitter.com/sMrWmihf7x

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 27, 2024

Clark/Finau vs. Conners/Hughes

This was not the showing you wanted out of Clark and Finau, who were dominated 6&5. Clark and Hughes never looked to be shaken or veer away from the path. They knew the mission, set out, and accomplished it.

Finau was in the Top 3 for Americans today in terms of strokes gained. Unfortunately, he was never in it.

Scheffler/Henley vs. Kim/An

In perhaps the shock of the day, Scottie Scheffler, the hottest player in the world, and his playing partner, Russell Henley, were not able to follow up their strong performance yesterday with another one on Friday.

Si Woo Kim nailed a lengthy putt on 18 to lock up the fifth and final point, giving the International Team a clean sweep:

FLIPPED THE SCRIPT. 🤯 #IntlTeam

Si Woo Kim wins it 1UP as the Internationals SWEEP THE U.S. in a stunning reversal!

📺 Golf Channel 📱 NBC Sports app | #PresidentsCup pic.twitter.com/T9RFF6uqLm

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 27, 2024

Saturday Matchups

There are two sessions tomorrow, with the first starting at 7:02 a.m. EDT. The first session is Four-Ball:

Match 1 (7:02 a.m.): Adam Scott & Taylor Pendrith (International) vs. Scottie Scheffler & Collin Morikawa (USA)

Match 2 (7:20 a.m.): Corey Connors & Mackenzie Hughes (International) vs. Tony Finau & Xander Schauffele (USA)

Match 3 (7:38 a.m.): Si Woo Kim & Tom Kim (International) vs. Keegan Bradley & Wyndham Clark (USA)

Match 4 (7:56 a.m.): Hideki Matsuyama & Sungjae Im (International) vs. Patrick Cantlay & Sam Burns (USA)

Second session matchups will be determined tomorrow at the conclusion of the first session.

Cover Image via Golfweek