Ryan Fox and Nick Taylor made crucial plays on Friday, propelling the Internationals to another impressive sweep in foursomes at the Presidents Cup. This performance gave them a commanding 7-3 lead heading into the weekend as they aim to break a losing streak of over two decades.
International captain Geoff Ogilvy hailed the team’s exceptional performance at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, emphasizing the significance of the day’s results. This marks the second consecutive time the Americans have been shut out in foursomes, a stark contrast to their previous sweep at Royal Montreal two years ago.
The Internationals now hold their largest lead after two sessions since their victory at Royal Melbourne in 1998, the only year they have won the Presidents Cup. In a tense match, Taylor and Corey Conners narrowly edged out Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns by one hole at Medinah, with Taylor delivering a remarkable shot that landed within a foot of the hole for a crucial par.
Reflecting on his performance, Taylor acknowledged the pressure of the moment and his ability to deliver a close shot when it mattered most. Other matches saw Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im dominating with a 3-and-2 win, while Adam Scott and Christiaan Bezuidenhout secured a 3-and-2 victory over their American counterparts.
Despite the challenging day, U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker remained optimistic, emphasizing that there are still 20 points up for grabs in the tournament. Looking ahead to Saturday’s matches, both teams are gearing up for a pivotal day with fourballs in the morning and foursomes in the afternoon. With memories of their previous loss in Canada driving them, the Internationals are focused on maintaining their lead and securing a historic victory.