Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele were the USA’s star men during the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club.
Scheffler ended the week 3-2-0, and Schauffele finished the event with a 4-1-0 record. The USA’s elite players stood up when required during important moments for Jim Furyk.
Perhaps surprisingly, Schauffele and Scheffler weren’t paired together during the week. Scheffler was consistently paired with Russell Henley, and Schauffele played two matches each with Tony Finau and Patrick Cantlay.
Kevin Kisner, who was one of Furyk’s vice-captains, has now detailed why the world’s two best players were kept apart.
Kevin Kisner explains why Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler were kept apart at the Presidents Cup
Speaking during the latest edition of the Smylie Show, Kisner shed light on Furky’s decision-making.
“The crazy thing is, why don’t Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele play in a team, right? Now you’re putting your two best players on a team, which makes your next best team weaker. That does make sense,” Kisner said.
“So we called them ten-man groups and eight-man groups. We were basing all our stuff on ten-man and eight-man, and you want your five most solid groups in the ten-man.
“And your four most solid groups in the eight-man. We were always trying to work on who needs rest, who needs to play, who needs to be in this session.”
Stewart Cink praised Furyk’s attention to detail after the event, and it’s clear that the 54-year-old’s methods paid off.
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele decision pays off for Jim Furyk at the Presidents Cup
Clearly, Furyk’s decision to split up Schauffele and Scheffler was inspired, and it’s a move Keegan Bradley will likely try and emulate at the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Scheffler’s partnership with Henley and Schauffele’s pairing with Cantlay proved pivotal during the Presidents Cup triumph.
Where Bradley places Scheffler and Schauffele at Bethpage Black could end up being one of the deciding factors next September.
If the American duo play their best golf, Luke Donald and Europe will have their work cut out in order to retain the famous trophy.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
