Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns held on for a late point and the Americans grabbed a 3-2 lead over the underdog International squad on the opening day of the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club on Thursday. What did you learn on Day 1?
Josh Berhow, managing editor: I’m not sure I learned this but Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im reiterated the fact that the Americans are deep and the Internationals cannot afford to lose close matches in which they have a chance. Scheffler and Burns played well early but gave Lee and Im several chances to steal that match and jolt a little energy down their lineup. But they couldn’t make enough birdies late and now their team goes into Day 2 trailing, although down 3-2 isn’t a bad spot for them in general. And if you want another example of the Americans’ depth, Jacob Bridgeman didn’t play Thursday but makes his Presidents Cup debut on Friday. He won on the PGA Tour four days ago.
Dylan Dethier, senior writer: We learned that the Internationals can absolutely hang. If we’re taking mulligans I’d say Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im had a bunch of chances to put the hammer down against Burns and Scheffler. But honestly I think both teams are fine with where things stand after Day 1; a one-point margin with 25 still up for grabs is nothing.
Sean Zak, senior writer: That Medinah has potential to be something special. But it needs some energy. They re-routed the typical members routing so that more matches could reach the (now) 16th hole, a par-3 over the water. The surrounding landscape and grandstands offer a lot of potential for fireworks over the weekend. And a handful of players stuck incredible approaches there today, but there was just no pop from the crowd. Wyndham Clark called it out a bit in his press conference Thursday evening. He wants the American crowd to make it rowdy. And I don’t blame him.
Alan Bastable, executive editor: Siiiiii Woo, shakin’ that … I leaned that SWK showed no signs of slowing down in this event. Fun to watch! Four birdies today in 16 holes, playing alongside another American irritant, Tom Kim, in their 3-and-2 thumping of Chris Gotterup and Patty Ice. Si Woo is now 7-5-0 in the Presidents Cup, and there’s no reason to think he won’t add another couple of points before the week is out.