Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns will open Thursday's four‑ball action at the Presidents Cup, taking on South Korea's Min Woo Lee and South Korea/USA dual‑national Sungjae Im. Their pairing was announced by Team USA captain Brandt Snedeker alongside International team skipper Geoff Ogilvy as the first match of the opening session.
Team USA, under Snedeker's leadership, are aiming to push their winning streak to 11 straight victories over the International side at Medinah Country Club. The Americans have dominated the competition in recent years, and they will be eager to keep the momentum going. Ogilvy, meanwhile, expressed optimism about his squad's chances on Wednesday, noting that the International team feels confident despite the odds. In the second match, Cameron Young will partner with Xander Schauffele.
The duo will face Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and rising star Ryo Hisatsune. Young and Schauffele have both shown strong form in recent events, and they will be looking to add another point to the USA tally. Snedeker's third pairing pairs veteran Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup veteran Justin Thomas with 21‑year‑old rookie Jackson Koivun.
The pair will meet Canada’s Corey Conners and Colombian veteran Nico Echavarria. Thomas brings a wealth of experience, while Koivun offers youthful energy and a fresh perspective on the international stage. The fourth match promises a marquee showdown: two‑time major champion Wyndham Clark joins forces with 2020 U.S. Open winner Collin Morikawa to take on the reigning Open champion Ryan Fox and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.
This clash of major winners is expected to be one of the highlights of the day, with both sides eager to claim an early advantage. In the final four‑ball of the session, Chris Gotterup will team with Patrick Cantlay to face the Korean twins Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. The Gotterup‑Cantlay partnership will test the depth of the USA bench against a well‑coordinated Korean pair. The schedule for Thursday is as follows (UK and Ireland time): - 5:35 pm – Match 1: Scheffler/Burns vs Lee/Im - 5:53 pm – Match 2: Young/Schauffele vs Matsuyama/Hisatsune - 6:11 pm – Match 3: Thomas/Koivun vs Conners/Echavarria - 6:29 pm – Match 4: Clark/Morikawa vs Fox/Scott - 6:47 pm – Match 5: Gotterup/Cantlay vs T.
Kim/S.W. Kim All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, and viewers are advised to use a Chrome browser for the most reliable video playback.
Although Scheffler and Burns are close friends off the course, their joint record in team events has been disappointing. Between the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup they have compiled a 0‑3‑1 record, failing to secure a win in four outings together.
Burns admitted that the partnership has been “frustrating,” adding that they have often played well but have not been able to convert that into victories. He emphasized that the duo will approach Thursday with a renewed focus, aiming to earn as many points as possible for the United States. Snedeker also made a surprising tactical decision by separating longtime friends Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, who have frequently been paired together in previous team competitions.
This mirrors a similar move made by Jim Furyk at the start of the 2024 Presidents Cup, suggesting a strategic desire to mix up pairings and create fresh dynamics. The captain explained his choice to pair Thomas with Koivun, describing it as an "easy pick" because of their complementary styles.
Snedeker praised Koivun’s rapid adaptation to the team environment, noting that the rookie has handled the transition exceptionally well. He added that Thomas, with his natural leadership, will act as a mentor, "putting his arm around" the younger player and demonstrating the quintessential USA golf approach. Koivun echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the guidance he has received from Thomas and fellow American Russell Henley over the past couple of years. He highlighted how valuable it has been to spend time in a team setting with seasoned players, describing the experience as "awesome" and a crucial part of his development.
On the International side, Ryan Fox expressed a desire to emulate the underdog spirit that has propelled Team Europe in recent Ryder Cups. Fox, playing his 12th Presidents Cup, said the International squad often feels like the underdog, but that status has not hindered European results in the past.
He hopes to channel that same energy, especially for teammate Adam Scott, who is seeking a victory after a long wait. Fox explained that the International team intends to apply early pressure on the United States, flipping the usual expectation that the Americans are the favorites.
By taking an early lead, they hope to force the USA into a more uncomfortable position, creating additional opportunities for the International side to capitalize. The Presidents Cup will continue for four days, with all sessions streamed live on Sky Sports Golf. Fans can also subscribe to Sky Sports or use a streaming service to watch the action without a long‑term contract.
For those interested in playing the courses themselves, Sky Sports offers discounted rates at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. To find a nearby venue, users can enter a course name, city, or postal code on the booking platform. Overall, Thursday’s opening four‑ball matches set the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive Presidents Cup. With seasoned veterans, hungry rookies, and strategic pairings on both sides, the battle for points will be intense, and every shot could tip the balance in this storied international rivalry.