Internationals Sweep USA in Foursomes to Take 7-3 Presidents Cup Lead at Medinah

International Dominant Friday at Medinah

The International team delivered another dominant performance in foursomes Friday at Medinah Country Club, sweeping all four matches against the United States to take a commanding 7-3 lead into the weekend at the 2026 Presidents Cup.

Ryan Fox and Nick Taylor each produced clutch moments down the stretch, helping the Internationals complete the second consecutive foursomes sweep for the Americans. The result gives the Internationals their largest lead after two sessions since the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne the only time the International team has won the event.

Internationals Take Control in Friday Matches

The Americans entered Friday’s foursomes with some cushion after sweeping the opening session, but the momentum quickly shifted as the Internationals won every match in the alternate-shot format. It was the second straight Presidents Cup in which the United States was shut out in a foursomes session.

Two years ago at Royal Montreal, however, the Americans had already built enough of a lead to withstand the International sweep and eventually win the competition. This time, the Internationals have put themselves in a much stronger position heading into the weekend as they attempt to end more than two decades of frustration in the Presidents Cup.

Taylor, Conners Deliver Under Pressure

Nick Taylor and Corey Conners provided one of the day’s biggest moments against Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns. The Canadian duo held a 1-up lead heading to the 18th hole, but the Americans had an opportunity to level the match after Taylor’s drive found the trees. Conners was only able to punch his next shot back into the fairway, leaving the Internationals facing a difficult finish.

Taylor ultimately played his third shot before Scheffler hit his second. From 151 yards, Taylor hit a cut 9-iron that landed softly and rolled to within a foot of the hole. That left Taylor and Conners with a tap in par and put the pressure on Burns. Burns’ birdie attempt to halve the match caught the edge of the hole and stayed out, giving the Internationals a 1-up victory.

Fox Sparks International Rally

Ryan Fox also came through when the Internationals needed him most alongside Min Woo Lee against the American pairing. The Americans had taken their first lead of the match on the 12th hole, but Fox answered with two clutch birdie putts.

Fox rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th to square the match before delivering another big shot on the following hole. On the par-3 16th, Fox converted a 20-foot birdie putt to put the Internationals 1 up. The teams halved the final two holes, with Fox calmly making a 4-foot par putt on the 18th to secure the victory.

International Team Dominates the Other Matches

The other two foursomes matches were considerably less dramatic. Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im won four consecutive holes on the front nine to build a 3-up advantage over Russell Henley and Jacob Bridgeman. The Americans fought back to within one hole, but Matsuyama answered with a 20-foot birdie to restore control. Matsuyama and Im closed out a 3-and-2 victory.

Adam Scott and Christiaan Bezuidenhout never trailed Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, cruising to a 3-and-2 victory. Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim also had little trouble against the American pairing of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. The International duo won 4 and 3 to complete the sweep.

Saturday Becomes Pivotal

With the Internationals holding a 7-3 advantage, Saturday’s two-session schedule could determine the direction of the Presidents Cup. The morning session will feature four fourball matches, followed by four foursomes matches in the afternoon. With eight points available, the United States has an opportunity to dramatically reduce the deficit, while the Internationals will try to maintain their momentum and move closer to their first Presidents Cup victory since 1998.

Two years ago at Royal Montreal, the Americans responded to a similar foursomes setback by winning six of the eight matches played on Saturday and ultimately securing another Presidents Cup victory. This time, however, the United States faces a much larger deficit. The Internationals now have a 7-3 lead at Medinah and are three days into their bid to end the Americans’ long-standing dominance of the Presidents Cup.