The biggest Sunday rout in tournament history just happened at Medinah, and it flipped the script on a team that looked doomed. The International team held a 10½-7½ lead entering the final day, a cushion that usually spells victory for the away side. To clinch their 17-13 win and extend the streak to 11 straight victories in this event, the Americans claimed nine of the 12 singles matches.
The U.S. team took the final session 9½-2½, a scoreline that has never been seen before in the event’s long history. The comeback wasn’t just a fluke; it was a total dismantling of the International squad on their home turf. Collin Morikawa and 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun flipped two key matches on the back nine to swing the momentum.
A History of Funny Things
Captain Brandt Snedeker knew exactly what he was walking into before the final round even started. He had been part of the losing Ryder Cup team at this same course in 2012, when Europe pulled off a massive upset.
The youth movement played a significant role in the turnaround. Koivun, who helped Auburn win an NCAA title just four months ago, erased a two-hole deficit to win his match. He hit clutch shots on the 18th to seal the victory for the U.S. Snedeker called the rookie “special” and “different,” noting that few players can handle that pressure.
The Gear and the Glory
While the golf was the main event, the teams brought their own unique style to the course.
The victory was sealed by Jacob Bridgeman, who defeated Min Woo Lee 1-up. Xander Schauffele later closed out the competition with a 2&1 win over Open champion Ryan Fox. The final tally stood at 17-13, extending the American dominance in the biennial event.
The start of the 12 singles matches saw President Donald Trump on the first tee. He delivered a brief speech, saying, “It’s going to be a very interesting game of golf” Following another American victory at Liberty National in 2017, he stayed for the trophy presentation just as he did then.
Snedeker summed up the feeling of the day with raw emotion. He stated that the team played their tails off and expressed pride in their performance. The U.S. simply refused to budge, turning a three-point deficit into a comfortable win.
The Internationals will need to rethink their strategy if they want to break the streak. The Americans proved that at Medinah, no lead is safe when the pressure hits.
