By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
QUEBEC, Canada – A pivotal 10-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole Thursday put Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay in control, and they did not waver down the stretch in winning their opening day four-ball match at the 2024 President’s Cup event.
Burns, a Shreveport native and Calvary Baptist alumnus, and Cantlay capped an historic 5-0 opening day rout by Team USA over the International squad. It was the first time since 2000, and the second time ever, in 25 President’s Cup competitions that a team swept all five matches. It has happened only once, in 1984, in Ryder Cup play.
The Americans prevailed 2&1, closing out the match against former Masters champion Hideki Matsayuma and Corey Connors on the 17th green with a par when Burns putted within gimme distance from 30 feet on an undulating green, and Matsayuma couldn’t convert a 12-foot birdie putt at Royal Montreal Golf Club.
Burns is one of two Americans who will sit out today’s alternate shot format, but USA captain Jim Furyk is expect to send him back in action Saturday as play will feature eight matches, with four-ball in the morning and foursome play in the afternoon. Singles play is Sunday. Coverage today begins at noon on Golf Channel before NBC provides wall to wall coverage Saturday and Sunday.
Burns provided the 224-yard par-3 13th hole birdie Thursday and changed the complexion of the match. The Americans fell behind early, but Cantlay birdied twice to get them 1-up going to the back nine.
“Typically, this format is going to come down to making a birdie on a really hard hole,” Burns said. “Fortunately for us, we did that there.”
The 28-year-old former LSU All-American, a Choudrant resident whose home course is Squire Creek Country Club, finished the 2024 PGA Tour season strongly with two top 5 finishes in the FedEx Cup playoffs and won $6.1 million in official purse money. This is his second President’s Cup and third international competition as a pro, along with last year’s Ryder Cup. Burns helped the USA win the 2022 President’s Cup.
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