The American team started the Presidents Cup in style, winning four of their five matches against the international team. The format of play on the day was an alternating stroke match and the United States led 4-1 after the first day.
Faced with a visibly weaker international team with the absence of certain players, who now play on the LIV circuit, the Americans took the opportunity to offer themselves a significant lead at the start of the tournament.
The dangerous duo of Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele wasted no time getting rid of their opponents. They won their duel (6&5) against Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama with five holes to play to open the American counter.
“I told the guys last night that we had to set the tone and we did,” Schauffele said. Playing in this format and not committing any bugs is exactly what we needed. »
Canadian Corey Conners and his teammate Sungjae Im were victims of the excellence of the American duo formed by Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Conners and Im held on until the very end, but the Americans ended the confrontation with a hole to play (2&1). Conners and Im never led in the duel.
Another Canadian in action on the international side, Taylor Pendrith teamed up with Mito Pereira and they came close to surprising Tony Finau and Max Homa. They tied the game on the 13th hole, but had to concede defeat by a hole. In the 18th, Pendrith sent the team’s second shot into the pit, before missing a putt to tie the game.
“We did what we were supposed to do,” analyzed Finau.
In another duel, Tom Kim and KH Lee of the international team faced Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa. The American duo increased the United States’ lead to 3-0 by winning by one hole thanks to a long putt from Young on the 17th hole. Kim and Lee had the lead for just one hole.
“Obviously it’s only the first day, but every point is important,” said Young. It’s a feeling I’ve been waiting for for a long time. »
The first sign of life for the international team came late in the round thanks to Si Woo Kim and Cam Davis (2&0). After trailing all day, they won the last four holes to erase the deficit. They tied the game on the 16th hole, then took the lead for good on the 17th hole to win by two holes against Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.
The United States have won the last eight Presidents Cups and suffered just one loss in 13 events.
| Adam Scott / Hideki Matsuyama | 6 & 5 | Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele |
| Sungjae Im / Corey Conners | 2 & 1 | Jordan Spieth / Justin Thomas |
| Tom Kim / K.H Lee | 2 & 1 | Cameron Young / Collin Morikawa |
| Si Woo Kim / Cam Davis | By 2 holes | Scottie Scheffler / Sam Burns |
| Taylor Pendrith / Mito Pereira | through a hole | Tony Finau / Max Homa |
