USA grabs 11-7 lead at Presidents Cup Golf

The Americans boast 12 of the world's top 25 players

MONTREAL:

Patrick Cantlay made a dramatic birdie putt at 18 from just inside 17 feet in near-darkness to give the United States a 11-7 lead over the Internationals after Saturday's matches at the Presidents Cup.

Cantlay delivered a 1-up foursomes victory with second-ranked Xander Schauffele over South Koreans Tom Kim and Kim Si-woo, the latter missing a tying putt at 18 after a tough fight at Royal Montreal.

"The Kims played unbelievably well. They stuck it to us on a lot of holes," Schauffele said. "We're just happy to get away with a 1-up."

Cantlay hoped his emotional putt could inspire the Americans to a 10th consecutive victory. They need only 4.5 points from 12 Sunday singles matches to win the Cup again.

A 97-minute morning fog delay pushed the finish well past sunset, with the Americans going 3-1 in the foursomes and morning four-ball sessions to seize command.

The Americans, who lead the overall rivalry against the non-European side 12-1-1, swept five four-ball matches on Thursday before the Internationals swept five Friday foursomes matches.

"We woke up today with a little bit of fierceness," Morikawa said.

The Americans, who boast 12 of the world's top 25 players, thrived while the Internationals, who used the same eight players in both sessions, faded late.

Tom Kim sank a 38-foot birdie putt at the ninth and Kim Si-woo made a 15-foot birdie putt to win 10 and square the match.

Schauffele sank a 33-foot birdie putt at 15 for a 1-up US lead but Kim Si-woo sank a 40-foot birdie pitch from sloped greenside rough to win the 16th and tie the match, setting up Cantlay's closing heroics.

Australian Adam Scott and Canada's Adam Pendrith outlasted Max Homa and Brian Harman 2-up.