The U.S. and International faced off head-to-head on Sunday with 12 match play singles to hoist the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, QC. Entering the final day of competition, the U.S. held an 11-7 lead over the International Team and showed no signs of giving in. Although a lofty comeback was needed, the International Team stayed within reach until falling short when Keegan Bradley bettered Si Woo Kim on the 18th to push the U.S. team to 16 points and a win. The final score was 18.5 points for the U.S. versus 11.5 points for the International Team. It was the 10th-straight win by the U.S. team in the Presidents Cup, leading to discussions about how the event might be altered to make it more competitive.
The first match out on Sunday was Xander Schauffele and Jason Day, and the American overwhelmed the Australian, winning on the 15th hole, leaving the Americans 3.5 points from the Presidents Cup and one step closer to improving their all-time record to 13-1-1.
However, it was the end of season run that continued for Bradley who ultimately clinched the win on hole 18. After winning the BMW Championship and earning himself a spot on the U.S. roster (he’ll be captain of next year’s Ryder Cup), Bradley won two of his three matches at the Presidents Cup including the winning point against Si Wo Kim.
Schauffele and Cantlay dominate
Cantlay, nicknamed “Patty Ice” for his indefatigable play, was only equaled by multiple major winner Schauffele with 4-1-0 records for the U.S. team. Sam Burns went 3-0-1 for the team, while Brian Harman went pointless. A team with Cantlay, Scottie Scheffler, and Schauffele is going to be tough to beat for years to come.
International struggles
It wasn’t the result International Team Captain Mike Weir was hoping for. The U.S. Team started with a clean sweep on Thursday, only to see the International Team come back on Friday. In the end, Weir, who famously outdueled Tiger Woods the last time the Presidents Cup was held in Montreal, could only watch as his International squad faltered in the afternoon on Saturday, leaving them four points down heading into the Sunday single matches.
“It was an incredible experience,” said Weir. “The crowds were incredible and so supportive of our guys—all the players. It was disappointing not to get a win.”
Controversial gimme?
Tom Kim drew some attention by claiming he was disrespected by Schauffele and Cantlay who failed to concede a short putt on the 7th hole on Saturday. Kim later suggested someone—he didn’t specify who—had cursed at him during the match. “I could hear some players cursing at us,” Kim said. “I don’t think there was good sportsmanship there. But it’s all part of the fun. I understand it.” Schauffele denied anyone said anything to Kim during the matches.
What’s next for the Presidents Cup
As the U.S. continues to dominate, questions are starting to emerge about whether the Presidents Cup is relevant. Pundits have suggested the tournament needs to be reworked, with some suggesting a pairing with the LPGA Tour that would see the best male and female players compete together. Brooke Henderson and Conners playing side-by-side? Now that has possibilities.
Canadians roll on Friday, stumble on Sunday
The disappointment continues for the home team Canadians in the Presidents Cup. Canadians Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith were picked by Weir for the team, who bypassed Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor in the process. Though the overall result isn’t what they wanted; the Friday foursomes match was where the Canadians shined. In Friday matches, Pendrith and Australian golfer Adam Scott defeated Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala, and Hughes and Connors defeated Tony Finau and Wyndham Clark in dominating fashion.
However, on the final day, Conners was the only Canuck standout, thumping Tony Finau 5-and-3, while Pendrith’s struggles continued, falling to Patrick Cantlay. Hughes, struggled with his ball striking throughout the tournament, and couldn’t better Max Homa in Sunday singles.