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MONTREAL — Ten points down, 20 to go.
One day after the U.S. team swept the opening session, the Internationals stole back the broom and rebounded with a clean sweep of its own and we’re knotted at 5-5. It’s unprecedented stuff in the Presidents Cup so apologies for not nailing our predictions but not even Nostradamus would’ve correctly predicted this one.
On to Saturday, which features a session of four four-ball matches in the morning followed by four foursomes in the afternoon.
Here’s a look at the morning matches and who we like to win.
Scottie Scheffler of team U.S.A. waits on the fairway of the first hole during the second round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Adam Schupak: Scott and Pendrith were impressive on Friday and already beat Morikawa once. But now he’s got new partner in world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. It will be a tough task to beat arguably the two best iron players on the Tour. I like the U.S. to win 2 and 1.
Riley Hamel: Team USA needs badly to rebound early on Saturday. They can’t let the Internationals get more momentum. That’s where the world No. 1 comes in. Team USA wins this one.
Corey Conners of Canada and the International Team celebrates after a putt on the 11th green during Friday Foursomes on day two of the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 27, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Adam Schupak: The Canadian duo I watched on Friday cannot be stopped; you can only hope to contain them. I think they will feed off the energy of the crowd and earn another point for the Internationals, 1 up.
Riley Hamel: I think the Canadians carry over the good vibes they earned on Friday and earn another point for the Internationals.
Mackenzie Hughes of Canada and the International Team is congratulated by Tom Kim of South Korea during Friday Foursomes on day two of the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 27, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Adam Schupak: Si Woo Kim is oozing confidence after taking down another top U.S. player and Tom Kim is rested and champing at the bit to deliver a point for his team. Momentum has shifted to the Internationals and I think they’ll ride it to another point with a 2-and-1 win.
Riley Hamel: Tom Kim is the spark plug for this International Team, and how do you think he’s feeling after watching his teammates tie this bad boy up? Kim’s going to come out on fire. Another point for the Internationals.
Patrick Cantlay of team U.S.A. hits his approach shot to the first hole during the second round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Adam Schupak: Sungjae Im already has my favorite quote of the week: “Our vibe was vibing.” It’s smart of Captain Mike Weir to throw the hot team back out there while they are “vibing” and see if they can trounce Cantlay again, this time with the rested Sam Burns. But no one puts Cantlay in the corner two days in a row. He’ll bounce back and Burns is rested and raring to go. U.S. wins the final match 2 and 1.
Riley Hamel: It’s really hard to follow up a spectacular performance with another one. After blowing out Schauffele and Cantlay, I think Im and Matsuyama fall to Cantlay and Burns. The two teams tie the four-ball session, 2-2.
These are the four golfers who will be sitting out the morning session for the two teams:
USA: Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Max Homa, Sahith Theegala.
Henley has arguably been one of the best American players so a bit questionable to sit him, though I can see the argument that he’s better suited for foursomes and give him a rest.
Internationals: Ben An, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Jason Day, Min Woo Lee.
Lee won’t be cooking in the morning and sitting his second straight session. This one is a curious decision because he is young and can bomb it and would be a great fit for four-ball.
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