So maybe this Presidents Cup won’t be a walkover after all. One day after being pinned 5-0 in Thursday’s Fourballs round, the international team returned hard to the United States. In the lead: Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im, who absolutely destroyed Patrick Cantlay and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele by a Presidents Cup record margin of 7 and 6.
Matsuyama and Im blasted into the front nine, winning holes 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 and throwing the Cantlay/Schauffele duo into a hole from which they would never escape.
After the turn, the Internationals won holes 10, 11 and 12 to close out the previously unbeatable American duo. The two had won all five of their foursomes matches at the Presidents and Ryder Cups before Friday. At the time of the victory, three other international teams were leading and one was level, which would be a significant recovery for the defeated international team.
The great victory will be tasted as fine tea in Europe, where Cantlay and Schauffele were personae non gratae due to a rumored desire to be paid for their performances in international team competitions.
The PGA Tour noted that eight Presidents Cup matches have ended in 13 holes or fewer. The most recent to achieve the feat before Friday: Cantlay and Schauffele, ironically, who defeated Matsuyama and Adam Scott 6 and 5 in Thursday’s 2022 foursomes.
