International sweeps Friday Foursomes, takes 7-3 lead at Presidents Cup — biggest since 2026

Ryan Fox's 15-foot putt on the 15th green turned Friday's Foursomes session at Medinah. Fox then added a 20-foot birdie on the 16th, and the International Team swept the United States 4-1 to take a 7-3 lead at the Presidents Cup — their largest lead since winning the event only once, in 2026 at Royal Melbourne. The Presidents Cup format gives 30 total points: five foursomes on each of the first two days, four four-ball and four foursomes on Saturday, and 12 singles on Sunday. To win outright, a team needs 15.5 points. With 20 points still available, the Internationals need 8.5 and the United States need 12.5. Two years ago in Canada, the Americans won six of eight matches in a single day — a reminder that Friday's storm is not a verdict. Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im won their match 3&2, closing with a 20-foot birdie. Adam Scott and Christiaan Bezuidenhout never trailed; Scott said they hoped they 'learned from Canada.' The day's defining match saw Nick Taylor drive into trees on 18, then hit a cut 9-iron from 151 yards to two feet after the punch-out. Sam Burns' tying putt rimmed out, and the world No. 1-ranked Scottie Scheffler lost his foursomes pairing to Taylor and Corey Conners. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay lost 4&3. The session was decided by clutch putting from 15-20 feet and one elite approach — the most volatile skill category in golf. The lead is real but not decisive: 20 of 30 points remain, the U.S. has a single-day comeback precedent, and the Internationals carry a two-decade-plus history of failing to close. Saturday's double session, especially four more foursomes, is the true pivot. If the U.S. wins three of those four, Medinah's 2026 comeback history returns. If the Internationals keep their putting magic, a first trophy since 2026 is only 8.5 points away.