While USA appear to have one hand on the Presidents Cup heading into the Sunday singles, Jim Furyk would have known how important his lineup would be in ensuring that there was not going to be one more stunning fightback from the Internationals at Royal Montreal.
The US need just four points from the 12 matches to ensure that they retain the Presidents Cup. Interestingly, the 11-7 scoreline is the same as it had been after Saturday in 2022 as Trevor Immelman’s men also fought back from a nightmare start.
Ultimately, the US got across the line and won by five points. However, there was a spell during the final day at Quail Hollow when the Internationals looked to have an outside chance of producing one of the most incredible comebacks.
So it is perhaps not that surprising that Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler find themselves in the top three matches. All three could pick up a fourth point for the week with a victory, while Burns is the only player on either side yet to lose this week.
Jim Furyk praised after ‘brilliant’ decision ahead of the singles
The middle order includes the likes of Sahith Theegala and Wyndham Clark, who have not had their best stuff this week. The Internationals’ target meanwhile, will be to take it deep enough that the bottom two matches involving Brian Harman and Max Homa become important.
Sat between Clark and Theegala, and Harman and Homa is Collin Morikawa. Morikawa has won three points this week and been extremely impressive, so it would appear to be a contingency plan for Furyk to put him at 10. And speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Ryan Lavner suggested that he is a big fan of putting the two-time major champion in that spot.
“I thought that was a brilliant move by Jim Furyk. He probably will not have to factor in the proceedings, but if things get weird, and keep in mind, things did get weird at Quail Hollow, there was about a 45 to 60 minute window in Charlotte where there certainly is a path to victory for the Internationals, things got pretty quiet in the middle of that afternoon,” he said.
“If things go that same direction tomorrow at Royal Montreal, who better than having one of the most accurate players on the PGA Tour holding on the 10 spot if it does get into that position.”
How Collin Morikawa has performed in singles matches so far
That match between Morikawa and Adam Scott could be mouthwatering, particularly if the Internationals get off to a fast start. Scott has shown more than a few glimpses of his quality this week, taking two points so far.
Morikawa actually has a mixed record in the singles across his Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup career. He did beat Mito Pereira 3&2 at Quail Hollow two years ago, but he took just one half point from two matches against Viktor Hovland in the Ryder Cup.
But Morikawa has found some of his best form again this year, and he will relish taking on a leadership role if his match becomes particularly important. However, he will also be aware that the momentum will likely be with the Internationals if there ends up being a lot riding on his match with Scott.
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