US Takes 3-2 Presidents Cup Lead at Medinah After Four-Balls

The Stage Was Set—And Medinah Answered

There's something about Medinah that demands drama. Walking the grounds on Friday morning, with the September light filtering through those ancient oaks and the distant roar of crowds echoing across the property, I felt that familiar electricity that only team competition can generate. The 2026 Presidents Cup had arrived, and this storied Chicago venue was ready to deliver.

The United States took a 3-2 lead after the opening four-ball session, winning three of five matches. But the scoreline tells only part of the story. This was an afternoon of momentum swings, clutch putts, and the kind of individual brilliance that makes this event so captivating.

Scheffler and Burns Break Through

The opening match set the tone for everything that followed. Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns—partners who had previously posted a frustrating 0-3-1 record together—finally found their rhythm against Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im.

This wasn't a dominant display. It was a grind. The Americans moved ahead at the 1st, fell back at the 5th, then endured seven consecutive halved holes as neither team could land a decisive blow. When Lee and Im birdied the par-3 13th to take the lead, you could sense the American anxiety rippling through the gallery.

But Burns delivered when it mattered most. His approach from 173 yards at the 14th finished just two feet five inches from the cup, setting up the birdie that squared the match. After Lee missed a makeable putt at the 17th, Scheffler struck his approach to six inches at the last to seal a 1-up victory. The celebration told you everything—this point meant something to these two.

The International Response

Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune reminded everyone that the International Team came to compete. Their 3&1 victory over Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele was the most complete performance of the session, a masterclass in four-ball chemistry.

After falling behind at the 2nd, the Japanese pair responded immediately at the par-5 3rd. They seized control by winning the 8th and making birdie at the 9th, then simply refused to give the Americans any openings. Hisatsune's birdie at the 15th extended their advantage, and another at the 17th closed out the match with style.

Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim provided the session's closing statement, defeating Chris Gotterup and Patrick Cantlay to ensure the International Team remained within striking distance. The Korean connection was evident in every shared look and fist bump—these two understand each other's games implicitly.

Thomas and Koivun Make a Statement

If one match suggested American dominance might be coming, it was Justin Thomas and Jackson Koivun's 4&3 demolition of Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria. This was the largest margin of the session, and Thomas looked every bit the veteran leader, with Koivun feeding off that energy beautifully.

The Americans moved ahead at the 3rd and stretched their lead at the 5th, where Thomas holed out for birdie. From there, they never looked back. Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa added another American point, ensuring the hosts would sleep easier on Friday night.

What Medinah Showed Us

Five matches, five stories. That's the magic of team golf at a venue like this. The course demanded precision, the crowds demanded passion, and both teams delivered.

The International Team will take heart from their response. Down 2-0 early, they could have folded. Instead, they won two of the final three matches and kept the margin to a single point. Captain Mike Weir has something to work with.

For the Americans, the message is clear: nothing will come easy this week. Medinah's corridors will echo with cheers through the weekend, but the outcome remains very much in play.

Key Takeaways

The US leads 3-2 after Friday's opening four-ball session
Scheffler and Burns finally claimed their first point together as partners
Matsuyama and Hisatsune delivered the International Team's most convincing win
Thomas and Koivun posted the largest victory of the session at 4&3
The International Team's late fight keeps this Presidents Cup wide open