Medinah's Back Nine Delivers Presidents Cup Drama on Opening Day
There's something about Medinah that refuses to let golf be simple. The storied Chicago-area venue has hosted some of the game's most dramatic moments, and on Thursday, its back nine once again proved why it remains one of America's great championship theaters.
A Tale of Two Teams, One Pivotal Match
The Presidents Cup's opening session came down to the final group on the course—world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns locked in battle with Sungjae Im and Min Woo Lee. While the other four matches had largely been decided, this one carried the weight of momentum into Friday's foursomes.
Both teams came out scorching. Scheffler and Burns birdied the first four holes—a start that should bury most opponents. But Im and Lee answered with birdies on holes 2 through 5, refusing to yield an inch of ground. This is what makes four-ball at its best so captivating: brilliance meeting brilliance, neither side blinking.
The turning point came on the par-3 13th, where Im rolled in a birdie putt while Scheffler's attempt slid past. For a moment, the Internationals held the lead in three of five matches, and Medinah's galleries held their breath.
Burns Delivers When It Matters Most
This is where the Presidents Cup earns its drama. Sam Burns, perhaps feeling the pressure of his partner's rare miss, stepped onto the 14th tee needing to respond. His approach found the green and settled within two feet of the cup—a shot Scheffler later called "probably the shot of the match."
"We lost 13 to go 1 down, and then he hit one in there to a couple feet, and we were able to square the match up," Scheffler said. "I felt like that was really a big moment for us as a team, and he stepped up when we needed him to."
The Americans didn't even need a birdie to take the 17th—a par was enough when Im and Lee faltered. And when the International duo couldn't find birdie on 18, the match belonged to the U.S., 1 up.
The Supporting Cast
While the Scheffler-Burns match provided the theater, the earlier results had already sketched the outline of the day. Justin Thomas and 21-year-old Jackson Koivun never trailed in their 4-and-3 victory over Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria, earning the Americans' first point of the week. Koivun showed some nerves at times, but Thomas—ever the Presidents Cup performer—carried them through.
International captain Geoff Ogilvy kept perspective despite the narrow deficit: "2-3 their way is not too bad. We had a couple of really good solid matches there, and we had a match go up to 18, which would have been nice if it went the other way, but 2-3, we'll take that. The boys have got a round under their belt now."
What Medinah Reveals
Walking Medinah's back nine, you understand why these holes separate contenders from pretenders. The 13th demands precision. The 17th—Lake Kadijah lurking—tests nerve. And 18, with its long approach over water, asks everything of players already running on adrenaline and anxiety.
The Internationals, facing a 13-1-1 historical deficit in this competition, showed they're not content to simply show up. Stealing that opening match would have sent shockwaves through the American team room. Instead, they'll enter Friday's foursomes down 3-2 but far from defeated.
Looking Ahead
Alternate shot tends to favor the deeper, more experienced team—which typically means the Americans. But the Internationals have shown they can trade punches with the world's best. If Thursday proved anything, it's that this Presidents Cup won't be decided until the final putts drop on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. leads 3-2 heading into Friday's foursomes session
- Scheffler and Burns survived a serious challenge from Im and Lee, winning 1 up
- Thomas and rookie Koivun dominated in a 4-and-3 victory
- Medinah's back nine continues to deliver championship-caliber drama