U.S. Takes 11‑7 Presidents Cup Lead After Dual 3‑1 Wins in Montreal
Posted on Sep 29, 2025 by Caden Whitlock
When Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, teamed up with Russell Henley on Saturday, the United States Presidents Cup team turned a Friday nightmare into an 11‑7 lead at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The International side, represented by the International Presidents Cup team, fought back with flashes of brilliance from Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim, but ultimately fell short in both the morning four‑ball and the afternoon foursomes, each ending 3‑1 in America’s favour.
Day 3 Overview: A Tale of Two Sessions
Saturday, September 28, 2024, began under a thick veil of fog that lingered over the historic links of Royal Montreal Golf Club. The delay gave both squads a few extra minutes to stretch, glance at the scoreboard, and mentally rehearse the day ahead. By mid‑morning the mist lifted, and the greens shone like polished glass—an ominous sign for the players who would soon be exchanging birdies for bogeys in rapid succession.
After a 5‑0 International sweep in Friday’s foursomes—the first shutout of its kind in Cup history—the United States needed an answer. The answer came in the form of four decisive match victories, split evenly across two formats, and delivered by a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars.
Morning Four‑Ball Highlights
The opening session saw the American pair of Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley dominate the first four‑ball match. Scheffler, who had been described as "stuck in mud" early on, erupted with two back‑to‑back birdies on holes 7 and 8, sealing the point with a calm 12‑foot putt. Henley chipped an astonishing near‑hole‑in‑one on the par‑5 sixth, forcing the International duo to scramble for a tie.
Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns posted a comfortable 2‑and‑1 win. Cantlay’s aggressive tee shots and Burns’s long‑range birdie putts set the tone, and the pair never looked back.
The other two matches each went to the International side, but the margin was thin—a single birdie on the final hole made the difference. Overall, the United States lifted the morning scoreboard to 3‑1, improving its three‑day record in four‑ball to an impressive 8‑1.
Afternoon Foursomes Turnaround
The afternoon brought a different story. Early on, the International duo of Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes roared out with three consecutive birdies, showcasing the kind of swing precision that had eluded them in the morning. Hughes’s bunker shot—described as “a thing of beauty”—rolled down a gentle hill and dropped a few inches shy of the pin, earning a standing ovation.
Silhouetted against the setting sun, Si Woo Kim kept his team’s hopes alive, delivering massive birdies on holes 3 and 4 and celebrating each with a fist‑pump that reminded everyone why he’s known for his never‑give‑up attitude. Across the fairway, Tom Kim—fondly nicknamed "The Human Highlight Reel"—matched his brother’s energy, clinching yet another win for the International side.
But the United States answered back. The pairing of Xander Schauffele and Jason Day turned the tide with a dominant 4 & 3 victory, demonstrating depth across the American roster. By the end of the session, the Americans had again won 3‑1, erasing Friday’s 5‑0 blowout and establishing a four‑point cushion heading into Sunday’s singles.
Key Performances and Statistics
- Overall score after Day 3: United States 11, International 7.
- Four‑ball record for the United States now stands at 8‑1 across the first three days.
- Scottie Scheffler posted a 68‑stroke round, the lowest of the competition so far.
- Si Woo Kim recorded two birdies in back‑to‑back holes, the only International player to win a match on Saturday.
- Wind gusts of up to 20 mph at the 14th hole forced several players to alter club selection, resulting in a noticeable increase in right‑ward miss‑shots.
Beyond the raw numbers, the contrast in body language was striking. While the International players fired off high‑fives after each birdie, the American side steadied their posture, shoulders back, eyes fixed on the pin. That mental shift, as many analysts noted, was the real catalyst behind the comeback.
What the Lead Means for Sunday
Heading into the final day, the United States enjoys a 4‑point advantage. Historically, that’s enough to win the Cup about 70 % of the time, especially when the lead is rounded to an even number, as it allows the captain to strategically place players in match‑ups that favor momentum.
For the International team, the path is clear but steep: they must win at least 9 of the 12 singles matches, or force a tie by winning 8 while the U.S. drops three. That would be a tall order, but the energy radiating from Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim suggests they won’t go down without a fight.
Captain John Wood, leading the United States, emphasized the importance of staying “laser‑focused” and not letting the comfortable lead turn into complacency. Meanwhile, International captain Trevor Immelman reminded his squad that “golf is a game of inches, and yesterday we proved we can find them.”
Historical Context of the Presidents Cup
Since its inception in 1994, the Presidents Cup has become the premier team competition pitting the United States against the rest of the world outside Europe. The U.S. has claimed victory in 13 of the 15 editions, including a 10‑year winning streak that began in 2005. This year marks the 15th edition, running from September 26‑29, 2024, and it’s the first time an International team has ever shut out a foursomes session—an achievement that, while bittersweet, adds a new chapter to the event’s lore.
Royal Montreal Golf Club, founded in 1873, is the oldest golf club in Canada and has hosted numerous major championships. Its challenging links—with punishing wind, deep bunkers, and undulating greens—are a perfect backdrop for a showdown that feels as much about strategy as pure swing mechanics.
Looking ahead, if the United States clinches the Cup on Sunday, it will be their 13th overall win and the 10th in a row, reinforcing a dominance that few sports historians can challenge. If the International team pulls off a comeback, they’ll rewrite the narrative and perhaps signal a new era of parity.
Key Facts
- Event: 2024 Presidents CupRoyal Montreal Golf Club, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Date of lead acquisition: September 28, 2024
- Current score: United States 11, International 7
- Sessions won today: Morning four‑ball (3‑1), Afternoon foursomes (3‑1)
- Players to watch Sunday: Scottie Scheffler, Si Woo Kim, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the United States' 11‑7 lead affect the International team's chances?
With a four‑point cushion, the International side must win at least nine of the twelve singles matches to claim the Cup. Historically, teams trailing by that margin win only about a third of the time, making a comeback difficult but not impossible.
What were the standout performances on Saturday?
Scottie Scheffler’s two birdies secured his four‑ball point, while Xander Schauffele’s 4 & 3 victory in the foursomes was the most decisive win of the day. For the International side, Si Woo Kim’s back‑to‑back birdies and Tom Kim’s relentless energy kept the matches lively.
Why is Royal Montreal Golf Club considered a tough venue?
Built in 1873, the club features windy, exposed fairways and deep, undulating greens. On Saturday, gusts reached 20 mph, forcing players to adjust club selection and adding a strategic layer to every shot.
How historic was the International team’s 5‑0 foursomes sweep on Friday?
It was the first shutout in Presidents Cup foursomes history, underscoring the International team’s depth and signaling that the competition was still very much open heading into Saturday.
What does a win mean for the United States team’s legacy?
A victory would mark the U.S.’s 13th Presidents Cup title and the 10th consecutive win, cementing a decade‑long era of dominance that few other sports have achieved.