It was a script all too acquainted.
The Internationals, in spurts, confirmed life. They poured in huge putts, gained convincing matches, even swept the opening foursomes session to enter the weekend tied. For a second, they doubtless allowed themselves to imagine that they might lastly, after 26 years, win one other Presidents Cup.
However by Sunday night, the flame had extinguished for captain Mike Weir’s group, blown out by a U.S. squad that, as anticipated, was too gifted, too extremely ranked, too assured to be denied a tenth straight Presidents Cup.
The Individuals’ newest romp, clinched by Keegan Bradley, pushed the all-time sequence to 13-1-1.
After a chippy Saturday afternoon, the Individuals weren’t about to let the pesky Internationals get underneath their skins and flirt with a historic comeback from 4 factors down. As a substitute, they stepped on their throats from the gun. In 12 singles matches, the U.S. gamers had been a mixed 16 underneath on the primary two holes.
From there, the Internationals had been quieted – even the theatric Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim, who had frolicked round Royal Montreal for the previous few days as two of the few vivid spots for a house facet that had 4 gamers sit each Saturday classes.
Weir will doubtless obtain criticisms for some decision-making, although with U.S. captain Jim Furyk front-loading his singles lineup, solely needing 4 factors to retain the cup, it doubtless mattered little how Weir lined up his geese. Schauffele dominated veteran Jason Day within the leadoff match, 4 and three, and Russell Henley and Patrick Cantlay added wins earlier than the 18th gap. Schauffele and Cantlay went 4-1 as two of the Individuals’ workhorses, and Henley wasn’t too shabby, both, going 3-1 in his debut.
It wasn’t all pink, although, as Hideki Matsuyama, final in strokes gained amongst Internationals this week, took down world No. 1 – and beforehand 3-1 – Scottie Scheffler, 1 up, and Tom Kim earned a tie with Sam Burns. However with these first 5 matches within the books, the U.S. discovered itself only a half-point away.
That set the stage for Bradley, subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup captain. Enjoying in his first group occasion because the 2014 Ryder Cup, Bradley wanted six birdies to place away Si Woo Kim, who led on the flip and later gained Nos. 16 and 17 after Bradley had constructed a 3-up lead. Kim caught his method on the final, too, however there can be no extra celebrations.
Kim’s birdie miss from 8 toes, 5 inches formally put the Internationals to sleep.
“Jesus,” Bradley stated, catching his breath. “Wow, that was unbelievable. I saved saying all week, I didn’t know if I’d ever get to do that once more. To have the ability to simply play on this event, after which to win the purpose, my goodness. The final time I performed, I used to be the purpose to lose the Ryder Cup.
“If this was my final spherical as a participant – possibly it’s – I’m pleased with that.”
