The Presidents Cup will be decided in the singles. After the thrashings back and forth on Thursday and Friday, the United States managed to secure a significant four-point lead (11-7) heading into the final day of competition. It can be said that it’s practically a done deal, but there are still points to be added. Today there are 12 points up for grabs, of which the USA needs 4.5 to lift the cup once again.
Mike Weir and Jim Furyk, as is usual in these competitions, have not held anything back in the first pairings.
18:02: Xander Schauffele (USA) vs. Jason Day (International)
The inaugural match on Sunday will feature Schauffele, a two-time Major winner this season, and one of the spiritual leaders of the International Team. The Australian is participating in his fifth Presidents and the first since 2017. Weir gave him a rest on Saturday with this first match in mind.
18:14: Sam Burns (USA) vs. Tom Kim (International)
Tom Kim has become the soul of the International team. The spark. The fiery South Korean, only 22 years old, will face Sam Burns, traditionally weak in this type of competition, although this week he has rebelled against his own legend with a perfect 3-0 in his favour.
18:26: Scottie Scheffler (USA) vs. Hideki Matsuyama (International)
The match of the day. The world’s Number One was emotional on Saturday after defeating, along with Russell Henley, Matsuyama and Sungjae Im in Foursomes. It was Scheffler’s first victory in foursomes in the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup after six attempts. This week they are on opposite paths. Three wins and one loss for Scheffler and one win and three losses for Matsuyama.
18:38: Russell Henley (USA) vs. Sungjae Im (International)
Henley, 35 years old, has had to wait 13 years to make his debut with the United States in this type of duel. He had not played either the Ryder or Presidents Cup. He has played all three matches with Scheffler and his record is two wins and one loss. He will face one of the sure values of the Internationals, Sungaje Im, one of the loudest in the locker room, fun and with his Gangnam Style dances. Although he has lost more than he has won, the reality is that he has played well. Many birdies are expected.
18:50: Patrick Cantlay (USA) vs. Taylor Pendrith (International)
Cantlay, used to going unnoticed in individual tournaments, transforms in the Ryder and Presidents. A silent killer. Someone you don’t want to cross in a match of this type. Yesterday he made the key putt of almost five meters to achieve a victory that could be crucial. He and Schauffele defeated Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. Cantlay is 3-1 this week and has a 2-0 in Singles in the Presidents. He is tough to beat. He is the big favourite against Pendrith, but the Internationals will need to ‘steal’ some of these points to make the comeback.
19:02: Keegan Bradley (USA) vs. Si Woo Kim (International)
This duel points to the hottest of the day. Bradley will be the captain of the U.S. team in the next Ryder Cup next year and will undoubtedly bring a lot of energy, as always. Si Woo Kim, another one who is not holding back his reactions in every point he plays, will not lack encouragement either. His celebrations have included a tribute to Stephen Curry. Bradley is 1-1 this week, while Kim is 2-1. His only defeat was against Cantlay and Schauffele in Saturday’s electric foursome.
13:19: Tony Finau (USA) vs. Corey Conners (International)
Two different styles of play, but very similar behaviours. Finau is power against Conners’ precision. Beyond that, they are polite, calm and always respectful. Conners has played all four matches this week and his record is 1-3, while Finau is 2-1 and did not play on Saturday afternoon.
19:31: Wyndham Clark (USA) vs. Min Woo Lee (International)
Lee, a newcomer to the International Team, has only played one match so far (on Thursday in the Four-ball, where he fell alongside Adam Scott against Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa), but the 26-year-old Australian should bring a lot after not playing in both of Saturday’s sessions. He will face the 2023 US Open champion, who is 1-2 this week and should also be rested after not playing on Saturday.
19:43: Sahith Theegala (USA) vs. Byeong Hun An (International)
The rookie Theegala did not play on Saturday after playing Thursday and Friday with Collin Morikawa with a mixed record. He will face a always tricky Ben An, who is 1-1 this week and also did not play on Saturday.
19:55: Collin Morikawa (USA) vs. Adam Scott (International)
Major winners. Another match that can be crucial in the spirits of their teammates. Morikawa is 3-1, while Scott is 2-2, including a crucial point in Saturday afternoon’s Foursomes alongside Pendrith.
20:07: Brian Harman (USA) vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (International)
This is not Brian Harman’s Presidents. He has played two points and lost both. Both with Homa. Meanwhile, Bezuidenhout sat out both of Saturday’s sessions after teaming up with Jason Day and Pendrith with a record of one win and one loss. In 2022 he defeated Kevin Kisner in the last match.
20:19: Max Homa (USA) vs. Mackenzie Hughes (International)
The last match pits two players who overflow with emotion in their attitude. The captains have put the soul in the last match, for whatever may happen. Homa, who is not having a good year, has lost the two points he has played this week, while Hughes has won one and lost two.
