Presidents Cup | The victory of the veterans

(L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève) Not all triumphs are dramatic. But even the least spectacular victories count. Especially for a veteran who no longer believed in his abilities barely a year ago.

At this time last year, Keegan Bradley looked like a player who continues to hold on to what he does best without wanting to give up. Without trumpet or fanfare, he sailed alone around the 20^e world place.

However, late Sunday afternoon, he gave the American team a tenth consecutive victory at the Presidents Cup.

“I didn’t even know if I was going to play good golf again,” noted an emotional Bradley, standing on the edge of the green at 18^e hole, after hugging his partner.

At 15^e hole, the American led by three strokes against Si Woo Kim, of the international team. The Korean player, however, refused to give up. “I saw when [Patrick] Cantlay was leading by two that it would probably be me who was going to make the point. Then I just disappeared. I lost the 16th^e and the 17th^e. It was really stressful. »

With a hole in advance on the 18th mound^eBradley needed to match or better than Kim on the final hole to allow his team to reach the decisive mark of 15.5 points.

With a possibility of birdie, Keegan Bradley missed on the length. A few moments later, his rival’s putt slipped to the left, thus confirming Bradley’s victory by one stroke.

Kim had not even picked up his ball yet when Xander Schauffele and his caddy already had a cigar in their mouths.

Even though Bradley had lost his point, Wyndham Clark, Sanith Theegala, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa were all in position to score at least half a point. In other words, victory was already achieved. But Bradley had the honor of putting an end to what remained of the suspense.

The United States ultimately won 18.5 to 11.5, the largest margin since the 8 point gap in 2017.

Bradley’s return

Bradley’s last appearance in the Presidents Cup was in 2013. Since then, he has slipped to 131^e rank world and he was caught up by more talented and promising young players.

But in recent months, we have witnessed the redemption of the player from Vermont. In July, he was named captain of Team USA for the 2025 Ryder Cup. In August, he won the BMW Championship. Earlier this month, he was chosen by Jim Furyk to be part of the Presidents Cup team. Then, during the last session of the competition, on the 13th^e world ranked player made his nation win.

” No ! No chance,” Bradley replied when asked if he would have believed such a scenario 12 months ago.

Although representing his country after an 11-year absence was a dream come true, Bradley struggled over the past few days. “I really had to concentrate not to collapse. »

On this young team full of star players, the 38-year-old golfer sometimes felt intimidated and suffocated by the pressure of being chosen and not automatically qualified as the best players on his team.

“I felt like I was on a team where it was impossible to fail. I won a major, I played big tournaments, but this morning I was uncomfortable. It’s so stressful. I wanted to play well for the guys and since I was one of the captain’s picks, I had to help my team’s cause and prove the captain right. »

In this unequivocal victory, the big names of the American team also played a role. According to team captain Jim Furyk, the defining element of this final round was how his veterans responded after Saturday’s long day. “Last night, our veterans stood up. And it made my job a lot easier. »

He cited Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa as examples.

Schauffele won his duel against Jason Day by 4 and 3. Cantlay won by 3 and 1 against Taylor Pendrith. And Morikawa got the better of Adam Scott by 2 and 1. The best player in the world, Scheffler, however, admitted defeat against Hideki Matsuyama, in a comedy of errors, by a hole.

In summary, the Americans won half of the day’s 12 duels, while three finished in ties.

Another setback

Even if the captain of the local team, Mike Weir, gives a “fantastic” assessment of his week, the situation of the international team has once again worsened.

The team’s only victory dates back to 1998, and the 2024 tournament presented at the Royal Montreal Golf Club proved once again that despite all the will in the world, the international team is sorely lacking in depth.

In fact, all the clashes were close. The Americans won 54 holes while the Internationals won 47 on Sunday. However, when it came time to make the difference, the winners created magic. Like Schauffele’s four birdies in a row on the front nine or Cantlay’s touch on the 17th^e.

Only for the 13th^e times in 15 Presidents Cup tournaments, international team players have had to watch their opponents lift the trophy.

The players of the international team, however, remain optimistic. On Friday, they still swept the American team. “When I think about what’s coming in Chicago,” explained Mackenzie Hughes, “I’ll remember Friday as a confirmation of what this team is capable of. The result does not do justice to the manner in which these matches were played. If we had played better on the last holes, things would be very different. »

For his part, Adam Scott continues to believe in his team, especially because he is best placed to see their progress in recent years.

“Our players will use the experience gained here. All these close matches, the march to the 18^e hole, the pressure, being the last match of the day, all the players looking at you, all the attention directed towards you… The next time they are in this situation, they can rely on this experience. »

At 44, Scott ranks 17^e world rank and he showed this week to Montreal fans that he still knows how to do well in the game.

Will he be back in Chicago in 2026 for his 12th^e and last chance to win?

“I think I still have what it takes to play for a few more years,” he said before all his teammates banged on the press conference table and applauded. I still want to contribute, and above all, win a Presidents Cup. »