When the Presidents Cup rolled into Royal Montreal Golf Club on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the atmosphere was electric. The United States, led by first‑time captain Jim Furyk, former PGA Tour star and 2003 U.S. Open champion, faced a hungry International side captained by Canadian legend Mike Weir. Both squads arrived with star‑studded line‑ups, knowing the winner would earn the right to claim a ninth straight beat‑down of the opposition.
Historical Context: A Decade of Dominance
The 2024 Presidents CupRoyal Montreal Golf Club marked the 15th edition of the biennial showdown. The U.S. entered with a 12‑1‑1 record, having not lost a match since the competition switched to a 28‑point format in 2015. That streak, coupled with a 15‑point target to clinch the cup, made every match feel like a high‑stakes chess game.
On the other side, the International team’s best finish in the past decade was a narrow loss in 2022, making the home‑soil advantage in Canada a potentially decisive factor. Their captain, Mike Weir, promised to "play that Montreal dirt" and rally his players around a collective identity rather than individual rankings.
Day‑One Fourball: USA Sweeps All Five Matches
The opening day saw the United States dominate the fourball format. Pairings were strategic: Tony Finau teamed with Xander Schauffele to edge out Byeong Hun An and Jason Day by 1‑up. Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala squeaked past Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott, also 1‑up. The momentum continued as Russell Henley and world‑No. 1 Scottie Scheffler beat Sungjae Im and Tom Kim 3 & 2. Even the captain’s picks—Keegan Bradley with Wyndham Clark and Sam Burns with Patrick Cantlay—came away victorious.
Day‑Two Foursomes: International Surge and a 5‑5 Tie
Switching to the alternate‑shot format, the International squad turned the tables dramatically. The first‑pairing of Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im dismantled Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele with a staggering 7 & 6 win. Adam Scott paired with Taylor Pendrith out‑played Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa 5 & 4. Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Jason Day eked out a 1‑up win over Max Homa and Brian Harman. The surprise came when Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes routed Wyndham Clark and Tony Finau 6 & 5, while Si Woo Kim with Byeong Hun An edged out Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 1‑up.
The swing left both camps dead‑even at 5‑5, turning Saturday into a tactical chessboard rather than a runaway. The crowd—estimated at 30,000 spectators—buzzed as the scoreboard flickered, and the weekend’s final day would now decide whether the Americans could lock in that ninth‑straight triumph.
Key Player Spotlights
- Scottie Scheffler (World No. 1) showed his trademark consistency, but a mis‑hit on the 12th hole in the foursomes cost the USA a crucial point.
- Xander Schauffele (World No. 2) struggled with the alternate‑shot rhythm; his aggressive tee‑shots often left him stranded in the rough.
- Keegan Bradley, a captain’s pick, proved why he’s heading to the 2025 Ryder Cup—he delivered a clutch birdie putt on the final hole of his fourball win.
- Hideki Matsuyama’s 7‑and‑6 domination was the standout performance of Day 2, reminding everyone he can still dominate under pressure.
- Sahith Theegala earned his first national‑team appearance, and despite the loss, his composure on the 18th in fourball earned him praise from analyst Mark Steinberger.
Reactions From the Captains and Players
After the 5‑5 tie, Jim Furyk addressed the press pool: "We started strong, but the format shifts fast. It's a marathon, not a sprint. I trust my guys—especially the younger ones—to keep the pressure on Saturday." Meanwhile, Mike Weir smiled, "Our kids showed they belong here. Those foursomes wins were built on teamwork, not just talent. If we keep that energy, the cup could flip."
Veteran Adam Scott added, "Playing at home adds a layer of expectation, but also a boost. I think the International team feels like a family now, and that can be a game‑changer on Sunday."
What This Means for the Rest of the Cup
With the scores locked, the final Saturday singles session becomes a pure points race. The U.S. needs 10.5 of the 12 available points to clinch; the International squad must win at least 9½. Analysts predict the swing will hinge on how well the captains manage pairings for the singles—whether they'll front‑load their strongest players or hold them for potential “clutch” moments.
Historical data show that the team leading after day two wins the Cup only 38% of the time, so the odds are fairly balanced. However, the United States still enjoys a psychological edge from decades of triumph, while the International team rides a wave of home‑field confidence.
Background Deep Dive: The Presidents Cup Evolution
The competition began in 1994 as a rival to the Ryder Cup, designed to pit the U.S. against a composite team of players from the rest of the world outside Europe. Over 15 editions, format tweaks—such as the shift to fourball and foursomes only, and the introduction of a 28‑point total—have kept the event fresh.
The most dramatic swing in recent memory came in 2022 when the International team, led by Ian Poulter (then captain), rallied from a 5‑point deficit to force a tie, prompting a sudden‑death playoff that the U.S. won. That nail‑biter set the stage for the 2024 edition, where every match felt like a possible turning point.
Key Facts
- Event dates: September 26‑29, 2024
- Venue: Royal Montreal Golf Club, Montreal, Canada
- U.S. captain: Jim Furyk
- International captain: Mike Weir
- Score after day two: USA 5 – International 5
- Points needed for victory: 15.5 of 28
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2024 Presidents Cup affect the U.S. team's Ryder Cup prospects?
Strong performances from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and rising star Sahith Theegala bolster confidence heading into the 2025 Ryder Cup. Their chemistry in fourball could translate to the U.S. squad’s pairings, while the mixed results in foursomes highlight areas—like alternate‑shot rhythm—that the team will likely address before the Ryder Cup.
What led to the International team's comeback on day two?
The foursomes format favors teamwork over individual firepower. Pairings like Hideki Matsuyama/Sungjae Im and Adam Scott/Taylor Pendrith found rhythm quickly, exploiting the U.S. duo's occasional mis‑communication. Home‑court familiarity and the motivational boost of playing in Canada also played a role.
Who are the dark‑horse players to watch in the singles matches?
Sam Burns, despite a down season, has a solid match‑play record and could surprise opponents in singles. On the International side, Corey Conners, with two PGA Tour wins and recent strong finishes, is another contender who could swing points for his team.
What is the historical significance of the United States' nine‑match winning streak?
A nine‑match streak is the longest sustained dominance in Presidents Cup history, dating back to 2007. It underscores the depth of American golf talent and places pressure on International captains to break the pattern, making each edition a high‑stakes narrative.
When and where will the final singles matches be played?
The decisive singles session is scheduled for Sunday, September 29, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. local time on the championship course at Royal Montreal Golf Club. All 12 matches will run consecutively, and the first team to reach 15.5 points claims the cup.