MONTREAL – The International Team's Triumph

The International Team kicked off Friday's Foursomes session with a fire in their bellies after a tough loss the previous day. Their determination paid off spectacularly as Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im triumphed over American duo Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele with a staggering 7 and 6 win, tying the Presidents Cup record for the shortest match in the event's 30-year history.

This remarkable victory gave the home team its first point of the week and energized the International side, setting the stage for a comeback in a format often dominated by their opponents. At the time of their win, Matsuyama and Im not only secured their match but were also 2-up in three other matches and tied in another, signaling a potential rebound from the previous day’s disappointing 5-0 start by the U.S. team.

Historical Context of the Victory

In terms of history, this isn't the first time we've seen such a decisive victory in the Presidents Cup. Notably, David Frost defeated Kenny Perry in a Singles match with the same score in 1996. Additionally, Adam Scott and K.J. Choi also claimed victory over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker by 7 and 6 in a Foursomes match during the 2011 edition of the Cup.

A Personal Victory for Matsuyama

Matsuyama’s victory held extra significance as it served as revenge; just two years prior, he and Adam Scott fell to the same American pair, Cantlay and Schauffele, with a crushing 6 and 5 loss. This time, the Japanese star and his partner fought back, denying Cantlay and Schauffele even a single hole win for the entire match. The International Team's precision was evident, with minimal errors as they missed only two fairways and two greens throughout the duration of the game.

Match Highlights and Impressions

The match began on a surprising note as the U.S. duo bogeyed the opening hole after three-putting. Im quickly took charge by sinking a birdie on the second hole, setting the pace for the relentless offensive that followed. The highlight of the match was their astonishing streak of seven consecutive birdies, showcasing immaculate ball striking and strategic play from both players.

Im, reflecting on the partnership, said, 'Today from the beginning, our vibe was vibing and we were trying to win the match. With Hideki, our teamwork was amazing. When I would hit the shot, he would finish with the putt, so it was a great job.'

Record for Cantlay and Schauffele

It's worth noting that Cantlay and Schauffele came into this match with an undefeated Foursomes record at the Presidents Cup, boasting a perfect 3-0 before this record-tying defeat. Having debuted together in the 2019 Cup, this marked their eighth partnership in the competition, tying them with Fred Couples and Davis Love III for the most appearances as a team in Presidents Cup history.

A Pattern of Losses for the Americans

Interestingly, this loss marks another year of record-setting defeats for the Americans, as a similar fate befell Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka at last year’s Ryder Cup when they lost to Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland 9 and 7 in Foursomes, a match renowned as the shortest 18-hole contest in Ryder Cup history.

Looking Ahead

As the International Team bounces back, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches to see if they can maintain their newfound momentum. Will Matsuyama and Im lead the charge towards victory? Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting continuation of the Presidents Cup saga!