United States take control of Presidents Cup to lead Internationals 11-7

The United States positioned themselves favorably to achieve a 10th consecutive Presidents Cup by establishing an 11-7 advantage over the International Team on Saturday in Montreal, where they triumphed in both the morning fourballs and the afternoon foursomes.

Entering the weekend as the pre-tournament favorites, the Americans were tied 5-5 with the Internationals after exchanging session sweeps during the initial two days. However, they surged ahead by winning the fourballs 3-1 and achieving the same result in the foursomes.

With 15-1/2 points required to retain the Presidents Cup, the United States is optimistic as they head into Sunday’s 12 singles matches at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

"The work's not done. We've got to come out tomorrow firing. I know they will," stated Patrick Cantlay after his birdie putt on the final hole provided the Americans with a four-point lead. "There's still 12 points up for grabs. There's another day left."

The afternoon appeared to favor the Internationals, but after Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith secured a 2-up victory over Max Homa and Brian Harman, narrowing the score to 8-7, the momentum shifted back to the Americans in the other three matches.

Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns initiated a surge on the scoreboard, overcoming an early two-hole deficit to achieve a 1-up victory against Canadians Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes.

World number one Scottie Scheffler struggled with two short putts early on, leaving him and Russell Henley 3 down after just six holes. Nevertheless, the American pair fought back and ultimately defeated Hideki Matsuyama and Im Sung-jae 3&2.

"I felt like I messed up the beginning of the match. I felt like I was on a different planet," Scheffler remarked. "I don't think Russ missed a shot today. I can't think of one shot I thought he could have hit better."

Cantlay and Xander Schauffele were poised to take a 2-up lead at the 16th hole, but Kim Si-woo, following a lengthy search for Tom Kim's approach shot that resulted in relief for an embedded ball, made a birdie to level the match.

The Americans made a decisive move at the final hole as Cantlay successfully sank a 16-foot birdie putt in the dimming light, securing a 1-up victory for himself and Schauffele.

"Concluding in this manner after yesterday's performance, we are building momentum heading into singles tomorrow. The team will rest well tonight and will be ready to perform vigorously tomorrow," Cantlay remarked.

During the morning session, Scheffler made two consecutive birdies in the closing moments, leading him and Morikawa to a 2&1 victory against Scott and Canada's Taylor Pendrith.

The Internationals equalized when Kim and Kim achieved a 4&3 victory over US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark, but the Americans quickly regained the lead with two consecutive points.

Schauffele and Tony Finau propelled the US ahead 8-6 with a 3&2 victory over Conners and Hughes, followed by Cantlay and Burns, who secured a 2&1 win against Matsuyama and Im.