So maybe this Presidents Cup won’t be a failure after all. A day after being defeated 5-0 in Thursday’s four-ball round, the international team returned to the United States in full force on Friday. Leading the way: Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im, who absolutely destroyed Patrick Cantlay and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele by a record margin of 7&6 for the Presidents Cup.
Matsuyama and Im blew up 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 round, the Internationals won holes 10, 11 and 12 to close out the previously unbeatable American duo. The two had won all five of their foursome matches at the Presidents and Ryder Cups before Friday. At the time of the victory, three other international teams were ahead and one was tied, which would be a significant rebound for the beaten international team.
This resounding victory will be savored like good tea in Europe, where Cantlay and Schauffele have become personae non gratae during last year’s Ryder Cup, due to a rumor that they wanted to be paid for their appearances in international team competitions.
The PGA Tour noted that eight Presidents Cup matches ended in 13 holes or fewer. The most recent to achieve the feat before Friday: Cantlay and Schauffele, ironically enough, who beat Matsuyama and Adam Scott 6&5 in the Thursday foursomes in 2022.
