The short version
- The United States defeated the Internationals 17-13 to win its eleventh straight Presidents Cup title.
- Jacob Bridgeman secured the final point by defeating Min Woo Lee in the last singles match.
- US President Donald Trump attended the event as honorary chairman and addressed the players before competition.
The United States golf team completed a dramatic turnaround on Sunday to retain the Presidents Cup, securing an eleventh consecutive victory in the biennial contest. The Americans overcame a three-point deficit entering the final day of play at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. They dominated the concluding singles matches, winning nine of twelve contests to seal a 17-13 aggregate score against the Internationals.
The outcome hinged on the final match between Jacob Bridgeman and Australia’s Min Woo Lee. Bridgeman secured the decisive point by sinking a four-foot par putt on the eighteenth hole. This victory gave him a one-up margin, effectively ending the competition and denying the International team an opportunity to break their long losing streak against the Americans.
The Internationals had mounted a significant challenge during the earlier sessions. They held a 10.5-7.5 lead heading into Sunday’s twelve singles matches. This position suggested they were poised to end a twenty-eight-year drought of victories in this specific rivalry. However, the momentum shifted decisively as the American players won the majority of the final day’s pairings.
Several top-ranked American golfers contributed to the comeback effort. Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, Chris Gotterup, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and Jackson Koivun all recorded wins in their respective matches. The US squad featured eight of the world’s eleven highest-ranked players, providing a depth of talent that proved critical in the final stages.
Brandt Snedeker served as captain for the American team. He acknowledged the historical significance of the venue, noting that Medinah has a reputation for unexpected outcomes. Snedeker referenced the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Team Europe staged a famous comeback on the same course. He emphasized that his players maintained faith in their ability to recover despite the late deficit.
Geoff Ogilvy, captain of the International team, described the final day as tightly contested. He noted that several matches remained close until the end. Ogilvy suggested that if a few one-down deficits had flipped to one-up leads, the momentum might have shifted in favor of his team. He acknowledged the American players came out with high intensity on the final day.
US President Donald Trump was present at the event in his capacity as honorary chairman. He greeted the competitors and delivered remarks before the matches began. Snedeker mentioned that Trump promised to bring energy to the team, joking that the president would receive credit if they succeeded. Trump’s attendance added a political dimension to the sporting event.
The victory extends the United States’ dominance in the Presidents Cup. The Americans have now won eleven straight titles since the competition began thirty-two years ago. This result marks only the second defeat for the US team in the history of the event. The Internationals continue to search for a breakthrough against their American counterparts.
The tournament concluded with celebrations among the American players and coaching staff. Snedeker expressed pride in his team’s resilience and competitive spirit. The outcome reinforces the current strength of American golf on the international stage. Attention will now shift to preparations for future competitions and potential roster changes.
Medinah Country Club hosted the event once again, providing a familiar backdrop for this high-stakes contest. The course conditions and layout played a role in the strategic decisions made by both teams. The final day’s results highlighted the importance of mental toughness in pressure situations. The American team’s ability to close out the tournament demonstrated their experience and cohesion.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗US complete thrilling comeback to retain Presidents Cup
- The Guardian US↗Snedeker says Trump ‘gets all the credit’ after US complete huge Presidents Cup comeback
