United States Takes 3-2 Lead Over Internationals After Day 1

2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah

The United States held off a late charge from the International team Thursday at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, taking a 3-2 lead after the opening session of the 2026 Presidents Cup. Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns finally broke through as partners, winning their first match together in their fifth attempt across the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup.

Their victory came in the final match of the day and secured a narrow advantage for the Americans heading into Friday’s foursomes. The United States has now won the opening session in nine of the last 10 Presidents Cups.

Scheffler and Burns Deliver When It Mattered Most

Scheffler and Burns entered Thursday’s fourballs match looking to end a frustrating run as partners. The close friends were 0-3-1 together in previous Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup matches, but they changed that record when it mattered most.

The Americans opened with birdies on the first four holes, but the International team quickly answered, making four consecutive birdies of its own. The match remained all square through the middle of the round as both teams repeatedly traded momentum. The Internationals had several opportunities to take control, with three consecutive holes featuring birdie putts from around 10 feet. None of those chances dropped.

Sungjae Im finally gave the International team the lead on the par-3 13th, hitting his tee shot to approximately 10 feet and converting the birdie. Burns immediately answered on the 14th, hitting his approach to within 2 feet for another birdie to square the match. The Americans then moved 1 up when Min Woo Lee and Im both missed par putts on the 17th.

Scheffler and Burns faced one final test on the 18th. Both Americans found bunkers on opposite sides of the green, but Scheffler blasted his shot out to about a foot, leaving Burns and himself with a tap-in par and the lead. Im still had a chance to force a halve with a 40-foot birdie putt, but his attempt slammed into the back of the cup and bounced out, giving the Americans the full point.

Koivun Makes Immediate Presidents Cup Impact

Jackson Koivun wasted little time making his mark in his Presidents Cup debut. The 21-year-old, who turned professional just over three months ago, teamed with Justin Thomas for a convincing 4-and-3 victory over Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria.

The International duo managed only three birdies in the better-ball format, while Thomas and Koivun steadily built their advantage. Koivun rapid rise continued with another milestone. He became the first player to win a Walker Cup point and a Presidents Cup point just over a year apart.

Koivun was part of Auburn’s NCAA championship team in June before winning his first PGA Tour title at the 3M Open in just his third start as a professional. Thomas also extended his remarkable Presidents Cup record in fourballs, improving to 7-0 in the format.

Clark and Morikawa Add Another American Point

Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa provided the United States with its other fourballs victory, defeating Adam Scott and Ryan Fox 3 and 2. Clark and Morikawa never trailed during the match and maintained control throughout the afternoon.

With those two victories and the dramatic finish from Scheffler and Burns, the Americans secured three points in the opening session.

Internationals Answer With Two Wins

The International team kept the session close with two victories. Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune defeated Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele after taking control on the back half of their match. The Japanese pairing won the final two holes on the front nine to build a 2-up advantage before eventually closing out the match.

Their appearance also marked the first time since 1998 that two Japanese players teamed together for the International side in the Presidents Cup. Young and Schauffele won the par-4 second hole but failed to win another hole. The Internationals eventually closed out the match when the Americans conceded birdie putts on the 17th.

Kim and Kim Secure the Other International Point

Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim delivered the other International victory in the anchor match. The result gave the Internationals two points from the opening session and kept them within one point of the Americans heading into Friday. International captain Geoff Ogilvy came away encouraged by his team’s performance despite trailing 3-2 after the opening day.

Americans Take Narrow Lead Into Friday Five Foursomes Matches Scheduled

After a cloudy afternoon at Medinah, the United States emerged with a one-point advantage, although the session remained competitive throughout. At various points, it appeared both teams could finish with two wins apiece before Scheffler and Burns delivered the decisive point in the final match.

The United States now takes a 3-2 lead into Friday, when five foursomes matches are scheduled at Medinah Country Club. For Scheffler and Burns, the victory provided a long-awaited breakthrough. For Koivun, it added another major achievement to an extraordinary first few months as a professional. And for the Americans, it gave them an early lead as they pursue another Presidents Cup victory.