Sunday At The (Mixed) Presidents Cup
International team rallies to end U.S.A.'s hold on the Cup.* Plus, a roundup of other weekend golf news.
Last hole. Last match.
“Just the way we scripted it,” said Commissioner Jay Monahan, smile emblazoned on his face after a week that may end up as career-defining after switching the Presidents Cup to a mixed-team event. Following two decades of minimal worldwide interest, International team futility, and an overall sense the event is a Ryder Cup knock-off, The Presidents Cup now stands alone in the team event world.
Even when lacking Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and several notable International players who lost eligibility after taking Saudi Arabia’s millions, the Cup’s combination of men and women provided high-quality golf, (generally) wise decision-making between co-Captains, a dreamy level of tension, plenty of passionate play, a traditional uniform controversy, and most revealing of all, impeccable sportsmanship increasingly rare in a world of excessive celebrations.
As with any team match, the fans and dignitaries who flew from around the world were not deprived of a few ego-driven tussles or the enjoyable second-guessing that comes when successful individuals are forced into a team environment. Still, count on the inevitable post-match airing of grievances and revelations that will be too good not to share. But for now, the focus should be on the unprecedented intrigue of seeing men and women compete on the same global stage.
Here’s how the day at Royal Montreal unfolded, where 12 of 16 players from each time were drafted for the finale:
Lydia Ko (INT) defeats Nelly Korda (USA), 1 up. This epic back-and-forth went to the last hole after Ko took on the 17th hole’s back pin tucked on the pond’s edge. The New Zealander made birdie 2 and then tied the last to hold off a top rival in the women’s game. “Winning a major this year in St Andrews was special but this felt even bigger if that makes sense,” said Ko as Korda nodded her head in a heartwarming joint post-match interview.
Hideki Matsuyama (INT) defeats Xander Schauffele, 2&1. A bounceback performance from the former Masters champion put away this year’s two-time major winner.
Hannah Green (INT) defeats Rose Zhang (USA), 4 up. The notoriously streaky Green played 14 holes five-under-par, ending Zhang’s undefeated summer in team match events.
Collin Morikawa (INT) defeats Sungjae Im (INT), 2&1. Morikawa held off Im to get America’s first point on the Sunday board. Match score: Internationals 15, USA 12.
Megan Khang (USA) defeats Brooke Henderson (INT), 4&3. The new American master of match play dominated even as Canadian fans tried to will Henderson home with Captain Mike Weir tagging along the entire match.
Lilia Vu (USA) halves against Ruoning Yin (INT). This duel brought the matches to 15 1/2 to 13 1/2 after the American birdied her last two holes, salvaging a potentially crucial half-point.
Jin Young Ko (INT) vs. Lauren Coughlin (USA), 1 up. The two veterans made eight birdies but also halved three holes with bogeys before Coughlin shocked the two-time major winner by winning with a two-putt par at the last.
Min Woo Lee (INT) defeats Sahith Theegala (USA), 2&1. Teammate and sister Minjee opting to caddie for her brother while co-Captain Karrie Webb supervised a vital match. Score: 16 1/2 to 14 1/2 in favor of the home squad.
Ayaka Furue (INT) halves with Allisen Corpuz (USA). Another special duel that saw Furue’s partner in mixed matches, Hideki Matsuyama, walking the fairways of this one with the man he had defeated, Xander Schauffele.
Patrick Cantlay (USA) defeats Adam Scott (INT), 3&2. Cantlay had 22 putts in 16 holes for a huge win to bring the Americans within 1.5 points of reclaiming the Cup. Score: 17-16 Internationals.
Scottie Scheffler (USA) defeats Tom Kim (INT) 2 up. These two may not be playing much leisure golf in Dallas for a while after Kim reverted to his celebratory antics after vowing Saturday that those days were behind him. Scheffler yelled back at Kim, who was on his way to the next tee each time, then lept into the 17th hole pond Jerry Pate-style when clinching the win. Kim’s slow play meant the match and the final duel were the only contests on the course. At this point, the U.S. just needed a halve in the last match to retain the Cup.
Jason Day (INT) defeats Max Homa (USA), 1 up. Homa holed out for eagle at the first, took a 3 up lead at one point before Day battled to tie the match at 17. A sore hip injured early in the week had Day hobbling badly down the 18th in a scene reminiscent of Ken Venturi at Congressional, only 30 degrees cooler. At one point Captain’s Weir and Webb set aside sportsmanship, pulled up beside Day, and could be heard yelling at the Australian “to man the $%#@ up for %u#@’s sake.” And he did! Day hit his 18th hole approach to 12 feet where he made the winning putt. He was swarmed by the International team and the Americans eventually joined the 18th green party to celebrate the historic matches.
Final score: International 18, USA 17.
Quotable
Mike Weir’s only decipherable press conference comment. “Golly gee do I love Canada!”
Jim Furyk on whether an analytics divide with Stacy Lewis might have cost the Americans. “Please. First and foremost, credit the Internationals for an amazing comeback. As for AI, algorithms, analytics, whichever one it is, I want you to listen to me carefully: they’re all bull*&%$. I can say this now that I’m done as a Captain. Now I know how the stats geeks think their formulas are gospel. They aren’t. It’s golf with golfers, not robots. These things still come down to finding compatible personalities for pairings, good ball striking, making some big putts, a little luck, and not having Patrick Reed or his wife around your team room.”
Karrie Webb on what the matches meant for global golf. “For the first time the Presidents Cup was actually about a world team against the U.S. and it brought people together the way the Ryder Cup does for Europe. I got texts this week from former Presidents, captain’s of industry, famous athletes and people I’ve never heard of wishing us luck. I can’t wait for Kingston Heath in 2028. It will now be the biggest golf thing ever played in our country instead of just being another golf event where the International men get schooled on home soil.”
Stacy Lewis on the American loss. “It stings to lose knowing how great the Solheim Cup felt a few weeks ago. But at the same time we saw such remarkable play and introduced the world to players of both genders who might not have been known if not for this format transcending the sport. It was an honor to be included.”
*Yes, this was fictional and we will now return to real life. Coverage was occasionally inspired by this week’s Presidents Cup. Reporting on the real matches is available across multiple global golf outlets.
Back in the real world…
Augusta, Georgia, was one of many regions suffering catastrophic damage from hurricane Helene. A statement from Masters Chairman Fred Ridley said the club is assessing “the effects” at Augusta National Golf Club. In an emailed memo to staff, Ridley said the hurricane had a “significant impact on the property.” An initial drone view of Magnolia Lane shows trees damaged or felled on the famed entry road and on the 10th hole in the distance.
Another edition of The Quad is forthcoming with more on the impact of Helene. As Ridley noted in his public statement, a more pressing issue remains the community where power is out, roads are impassable, and lives have been lost or upended in unimaginable ways. 🙏
Interesting that the European Tour has produced real drama as the pro golf season winds down, with Rory losing twice and now Rahm. Rory and Rahm probably have the most star quality of any active players, even though Scheffler and Xander are better players. Links golf next week. Will His Excellency make an appearance under a new assumed identity at the Dunhill?
“Yes, this was fictional and we will not return to real life.”
I am hoping this is a typo? I miss real life quad.