International Team Leads into Final Day at Presidents Cup

For the first time on American soil, the International team leads heading into the final day of the Presidents Cup. Geoff Ogilvy’s squad began the week as underdogs, with an average world ranking of 50.8 compared to the Americans’ 15.1. A Friday foursomes blowout fueled their optimism, leading to a Saturday grind that put them ahead 10.5 points to the United States’ 7.5.

“Today, both sessions having all red on the board, down in every match, and to come back and get 1.5 points out of this morning, we felt like [that] was a little victory because we were down everywhere,” Ogilvy said. “Then this afternoon the same thing happened. The U.S. Team played so well all day. They played some really high-level foursomes, especially this afternoon. For the boys to somehow come back and pinch 2 points out of that and split the session was amazing.”

On Saturday morning, the U.S. won the fourballs, narrowing the International team’s lead to 8.5-5.5. However, the teams split the afternoon foursomes, scoring 2-2. Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup secured their second point of the day against Adam Scott and Sungjae Im, achieving the most decisive win of the week at 6 and 4.

Scott and Im double bogeyed the opening hole, while Young and Gotterup delivered six birdies and an eagle to counter the International pair’s two birdies. “Today it was as easy as you could have asked to make the transition,” Young noted. “I had the same partner both rounds, and we played really well this morning and just kept going into the afternoon. It was a short turnaround, and in a sense that made it a lot easier.”

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele avenged their defeat to Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim from Friday by controlling Saturday’s match. Despite losing previously, they triumphed 2 and 1 with U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker’s confidence in their partnership. “Sneds told us to go out and get a point on the board first,” Cantlay remarked. “He sent us out first, and I’m glad we could deliver.”

The International team continued to excel as Ryan Fox and Min Woo Lee overcame Sam Burns and Wyndham Clark 3 and 2. Burns and Clark initially led, but Fox and Lee’s birdies on par-3 holes gave them the edge. Their performance validated the team’s strength on par-3s throughout the week.

Ogilvy expressed pride, stating, “The thing that’s really nice and makes me proud of my team is how well they’ve played the last five, six holes, the last couple of putts, especially today. These are not easy things to close out when all your teammates turn up and the crowds get bigger and bigger on the last few holes.”

Corey Conners and Nick Taylor secured the final International point of the session despite a prior loss. Momentum shifted on the 11th hole after the U.S. was 3 up. The Canadians gradually erased the lead, and Henley’s error on the par-4 15th allowed them to go 1 up, maintaining their advantage to win the match.

Cup rookie Taylor highlighted their resilience: “What an experience to battle back from 3 down through 3, through 10. We’ve just been relentless all week. That’s been the message through the captain.”

Historically, the International team has entered the final day with a lead on three occasions. Only in 1998 did it result in a victory—the sole triumph at a Presidents Cup since 1994. In 2019, they led 10-8 but ultimately lost to Tiger Woods’ team in Australia. This International team boasts an additional point advantage requiring only 5 points, whereas the Americans need 8 points from 12 singles matches on Sunday.

The U.S. aims to extend a winning streak dating back to 2005 with Snedeker acknowledging responsibilities: “I hold myself to a high standard. I don’t think I’ve done the best job for them in that room.”

The U.S. must start strong on Sunday, which Ogilvy expects. Young will open against Ryo Hisatsune at 12:02 p.m. ET. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler faces rookie Nico Echavarria next, as Scheffler encounters challenges with a 0-2-0 record in singles.

The eighth match, a potential decider, features 21-year-old Jackson Koivun facing world No. 14 Si Woo Kim. “There’s plenty of evidence that these things are never over,” Snedeker commented. “You’ve got to show up ready to go. I think our guys are chomping at the bit to get out there tomorrow.”

Find the Day 4 tee times and pairings for the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah, featuring singles matchups and start times for each match.