United States captain Jim Furyk says the choice to not pair Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay collectively within the opening fourballs of the President’s Cup was made in the very best pursuits of the crew.
The Ryder Cup-style event which sees the US tackle a non-European worldwide aspect begins in Montreal, Canada on Thursday with 5 fourball matches.
Schauffele and Cantlay are shut pals and performed two ties collectively in final yr’s Ryder Cup in Rome, whereas in addition they received two of three contests when paired collectively within the USA’s 2022 Presidents Cup victory.
Nonetheless, Furyk has determined to place world No 2 Schauffele with Tony Finau within the opening match in opposition to Jason Day and Byeong Hun An, whereas Cantlay is partnered with Sam Burns in opposition to Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners.
Furyk mentioned: “We try to maximise our 10 guys on the course, making an attempt to maximise our potential, get the 5 teams on the market on the golf course.
“Speaking to my assistants and the statistical guys, there are a variety of various causes.
“We all know they [Schauffele and Cantlay] play all their follow rounds collectively, they’re nice pals, they get alongside very effectively.
“No reason other than trying to maximise the potential of our five groups on the golf course.”
Within the different matches Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala tackle Australian pair Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, world No 1 Scottie Scheffler performs with Russell Henley in opposition to Sungjae Im and Tom Kim, whereas Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley – the US Ryder Cup captain for subsequent yr – are up in opposition to Taylor Pendrith and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
Scott ‘decided’ to finish 21-year winless Presidents Cup file
Australian Adam Scott has represented the worldwide crew within the Presidents Cup on 10 separate events and has but to style victory – however is hopeful that adjustments this week along with his eleventh look.
When making his Presidents Cup debut in 2003, Scott was a part of the crew that secured a tie in South Africa, with 9 consecutive loses following since.
The 2013 Masters winner believes, nevertheless, that that is the worldwide’s aspect’s strongest wanting crew for a while and due to this fact represents their finest probability of securing only a second ever victory, and first since 1998.
“We are determined to go out there this year and change the script of this event,” the 44-year-old Scott informed reporters on Wednesday.
“Certainly, I want to improve my record in this event and I’m very determined. I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get, if any. So this is a big week for me.
“However I’ve a number of perception on this crew. I can not keep in mind feeling so snug coming right into a Presidents Cup.”
Scott added: “I do not know the way I would really feel [if we won]. It’s actually one thing I’ve thought of… it’s an accomplishment exterior of our particular person performances that we miss.
“I think if I answered now, I would probably underestimate the impact it would have if we were to get a win.”
Presidents Cup: Thursday fourball matches
Matches start at roughly 4.35pm
Jason Day (Aus) and Byeong Hun An (Kor) vs Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau (USA)
Adam Scott (Aus) and Min Woo Lee (Aus) vs Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala (USA)
Sungjae Im (Kor) and Tom Kim (Kor) vs Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley (USA)
Taylor Pendrith (Can) and Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Rsa) vs Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley (USA)
Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn) and Corey Conners (Can) vs Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns (USA)
Who will win the Presidents Cup? Watch the 2024 contest from September 26-29 dwell on Sky Sports activities. Reside protection begins on Thursday September 26 from 4.30pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Stream the Presidents Cup and extra with NOW.
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