MONTREAL – An Explosive Comeback Begins!

The International Team came out swinging in Friday’s Foursomes session at the Presidents Cup after a humiliating sweep a day earlier. And what a start it was! Hailing from Japan and Korea, Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im delivered a stunning 7 and 6 defeat to American heavyweights Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, thereby tying the Presidents Cup record for the shortest match in the event's illustrious 30-year history.

The win marked a powerful statement as the International Team sought redemption. With this victory in hand, the team not only secured its first point of the tournament but also ignited a determined rally in a format where they've historically struggled. At the time of Matsuyama and Im's victory, the International Team was leading in three other matches and was tied in another, showcasing a remarkable turnaround after the U.S. team stormed to a 5-0 lead in Thursday’s opening Four-ball round.

Historical Context

The last time a match ended in such a lopsided manner was back in 1996, when David Frost triumphed over Kenny Perry with the same score in Singles. Similarly, at the 2011 Presidents Cup, Adam Scott and K.J. Choi delivered a decisive blow, defeating Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, also by a 7 and 6 margin.

This victory was particularly sweet for Matsuyama, who faced Cantlay and Schauffele in the 2021 edition of the Presidents Cup, suffering a hefty 6 and 5 loss alongside Adam Scott. Friday's triumph offered a redeeming chance for the skilled golfer, underlining the comeback spirit of the International Team.

Throughout the match, Cantlay and Schauffele struggled mightily, failing to win a single hole while the International duo demonstrated consistent prowess on the course. Only two missed fairways and two greens illustrated their remarkable accuracy. The Americans stumbled out of the gate, losing the opening hole due to a double-bogey three-putt, while the International Team secured an early lead after Im's impressive birdie at the second hole.

Matsuyama and Im were a sight to behold, ending the match with a remarkable streak of seven consecutive birdies, showcasing their flawless ball striking and strategic synergy. Im's remarkable 250-yard second shot on the par-5 sixth set the tone, followed by a series of impressive shots, culminating in a stunning finish on the par-5 12th.

Sungjae Im expressed his excitement: "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."

It's important to note that this loss marks a surprising turn of events for Cantlay and Schauffele, who had previously been undefeated in Foursomes, boasting a perfect 3-0 record. This pairing has become one of the U.S. Team's most consistent duos since debuting together at the 2019 Presidents Cup, now tying the legendary duo of Fred Couples and Davis Love III for the most appearances as a team in the tournament's history.

In a recent unsettling trend

this match illustrates a growing concern for the U.S. team, with record defeats becoming commonplace. The previous year at the Ryder Cup saw Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka also suffer an embarrassing 9 and 7 defeat in a Foursomes match.

As fans eagerly await the next rounds, one thing is certain: the tables have turned, and the International Team is on a mission to reclaim glory in the Presidents Cup! Will they continue this momentum, or can the U.S. bounce back and regain control? Only time will tell!