U.S. Presidents Cup Team on the Verge of Victory After Dominating Saturday in Montreal!

**MONTREAL** – The dynamic duo of Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim stole the spotlight during a thrilling 10-hour showdown at the Presidents Cup on Saturday, showcasing jaw-dropping putts and chip shots while dancing across the Royal Montreal course. However, their heroics were ultimately overshadowed by a clutch birdie from Patrick Cantlay, which silenced the raucous home crowd and drained some of the excitement from the two stars.

Despite the Kims’ impressive performances, the U.S. Presidents Cup team dominated the day, securing six out of eight available points. This extended their lead to 11-7 as they head into the final 12 singles matches, needing just 4½ points to clinch their tenth consecutive Presidents Cup title.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Kims, who played valiantly against the formidable team of Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. The match was tightly contested until the very end, with Cantlay sinking a decisive birdie on the 18th hole to win the match 1-up.

The victory was particularly satisfying for Cantlay and Schauffele, who had faced a chorus of taunts and cheers from the enthusiastic crowd. “It just motivated us more,” Schauffele admitted. “We really wanted to win that match. It felt amazing when Patrick made that putt in the dark.” Reflecting on the previous day’s defeat to Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im, he added, “A point’s a point. Very satisfying to win it that way.”

The bond between the Kims has become a rallying point for the International team, potentially getting under the skin of their American rivals. Tom Kim even hinted at some tension, claiming he heard cursing from American players, questioning their sportsmanship. “I get it; it’s part of the competition,” he said. “But there’s no need for it. I’m not hurt by it, but I think it could be handled differently.”

One of the standout moments of the day came at the 16th hole when Si Woo Kim capitalized on a tricky situation after his partner’s shot went awry. With Cantlay and Schauffele on the green, Si Woo pitched a remarkable shot that landed softly and rolled in for an unexpected birdie, celebrating with a “Good night” gesture made famous by NBA star Steph Curry. This energized the crowd but also fueled Cantlay and Schauffele’s competitive spirit.

As the match concluded, Schauffele’s approach shot on the final hole set the stage for Cantlay’s crucial putt, which he sank amid wild celebrations from the U.S. team. If Cantlay had missed and Si Woo Kim had made his birdie, the score would have been a more manageable 10-8 for the International side.

The only bright spot for the International team came from Adam Scott and Taylor Pendrith, who secured a 2-up victory over Brian Harman and Max Homa. In contrast, U.S. pairs Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley, along with Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns, also notched wins, further extending the Americans’ lead.

Questions have arisen about International captain Mike Weir’s lineup decisions, especially since four of his players spent the day on the sidelines. While Canadian duo Conners and Hughes were a logical choice for the afternoon, their earlier lackluster performance raised eyebrows.

After a fog delay of nearly an hour and a half, the U.S. team excelled in the morning four-ball competition, winning three out of four points, with only the Kims managing to secure a point for the International side.

Looking ahead to Sunday, U.S. captain Jim Furyk has strategically placed several of his stars early in the singles matches, aiming to neutralize any potential momentum from the International side. “It’s a very solid U.S. team, and we’ve got a big task at hand,” Pendrith acknowledged. “We need to start strong and carry good energy into our matches.”