Before a team wearing red shirts that quickly filled the scoreboard with red scores, U.S. captain Jim Furyk presented the gold medal. One trophy that the Americans have owned for the past 20 years and counting is the Presidents Cup.
Even though nine of the thirty matches, including the 20 that were decided on Sunday, didn’t feel like a rout at Royal Montreal. At least not until the 17th hole.
The score, which read United States 18 1/2, International 11 1/2, implied otherwise.
Though it was only north of the border, it was the biggest margin of victory the Americans had ever had in a road Presidents Cup, and they won for the tenth time in a row.
This year’s double major champion Xander Schauffele was chosen to start the charge and made four birdies in a row to establish the tone in a 4-and-3 triumph over Jason Day. With seven birdies, including three on his final four holes, Patrick Cantlay defeated Taylor Pendrith 3-and-1. He was bogey-free.
Assuming the role of captain for the Ryder Cup the following year, Keegan Bradley—who had not played for the United States team in ten years—may have been the decisive factor. He was surrounded by fans after defeating Si Woo Kim on the 18th hole, and he believed he might never play in another cup.
Today, we discussed taking care of business, and we all followed through on it. It was truly a significant time in my life, and I was just fortunate to be there that day, Bradley remarked. “I was the decisive point for the Europeans in the Ryder Cup the previous time I participated in one of these. Ten years later, I was able to accomplish it today.
“This is something I will truly never forget.”
The Americans were used to it by now. Max Homa defeated Mackenzie Hughes 2-and-1 to complete the scoring with his first point of the week. They prevailed in four of the five sessions, with the Internationals scoring most of their points in Friday’s foursomes matches, where they were shut out 5-0.
Furyk remarked, “These guys get along so well, but they can flat play.” “The Internationals played their (tails) off for us whenever they put pressure on us when things got tough. I’m incredibly honored to be a part of it.
At Royal Montreal, the Internationals needed everything to go perfectly. All they could muster was a fierce brawl and a few more close games, but no trophy.
Since these matches for players from all over the world with the exception of Europe, they have only won once, at Royal Melbourne in 1998—long enough to be the year Tiger Woods was winning the Presidents Cup. The United States has been winning since 2005.
Mike Weir, the captain of the international team, remarked, “A lot of these matches were so close.” “Not winning is a disappointing experience. We assembled our team with the intention of winning this competition, so while it is frustrating to lose, there are many positive lessons to learn.
Furyk was the captain of France five years ago when Europe won the Ryder Cup, and the Americans turned him into a winner. With no outside distractions and a wealth of confidence after winning every Presidents Cup since 2005, this is a new, young team.
According to Furyk, “the matches really come down to just a few special moments.” “These guys usually let it fly in the Presidents Cup, for whatever reason, and we’ve been able to win some important points and make some important putts.”
In the first game, Furyk sent Schauffele away, and the cool Californian took early control by making five birdies in eight holes. He took the lead with a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fifth hole, and he never let up after hole-making a 45-foot birdie putt on the opening hole with Day in close range.
Schauffele declared, “All 12 of our guys are capable of competing.” “I was able to accomplish my goal of setting the tone and getting red up on that board as soon as possible.”
This week, Sam Burns was the only player to remain unbeaten, cutting his match against Tom Kim in half. On the par-3 17th hole, the 22-year-old South Korean attempted to grab a one-up lead with a tee shot into 3 feet. Burns made identical birdies by hitting a pitching wedge close to the flag.
With his fist pumps and his playful jabs at Scheffler during the opening session, Kim has been the lifeblood of the Internationals. The 22-year-old South Korean was adamant that the tide will eventually shift when he predicted it would.
+ There are no comments
Add yours