On Sunday, the US team staged an incredible comeback on the green and clinched their eleventh consecutive Presidents Cup with a spectacular 17-13 victory over the Internationals – a triumph directly dedicated to US President Donald Trump.
Jacob Bridgeman showed nerves of steel at Medinah Country Club, sinking a crucial four-foot par putt on the 18th hole to seal the deal and defeat Australia's Min Woo Lee 1-up. "I'm damn proud of this team," US Captain Brandt Snedeker cheered after the spectacle. "Every single one of these guys fought for each other. For this country. For this team."
Snedeker left no doubt that Trump – who personally followed the action on the Chicago course on the final day – should claim a share of the glory. "He told me he would bring some energy for us boys today. You need that," Snedeker said. "And I told him, if we rock this, all the credit goes to him. So, thank you, President Trump."
The Americans' record in the biennial duel now stands at an incredible 14-1-1. They had trailed 10.5-7.5 before the twelve decisive singles matches. The Internationals were on the verge of ending a 28-year drought – but things turned out differently. "It hung in the balance all day," reflected Internationals Captain Geoff Ogilvy from Australia. "It's extremely difficult to beat the USA in singles on their home turf. But they all played really strongly."
On the final day, the Americans secured nine wins and one tie. Ogilvy remained composed despite the loss: "I don't think I would have done anything differently," he said thoughtfully. "It just went the wrong way all day." The non-European side's only victory dates back to 1998 in Australia, with a shared trophy in 2003 in South Africa.
The Americans, who fielded a proud eight of the world's top-11 golfers, triumphed on the same course outside Chicago where Europe clinched the 2012 Ryder Cup with the legendary "Miracle at Medinah". "These guys never lost faith," Snedeker emphasized. "I told them last night that funny things happen here. Medinah has a history full of surprises, and lo and behold: they went out and gave it their all. I'm so damn proud of these guys."
The tension mounted with each match, culminating with Bridgeman, who had just claimed his second PGA Tour title last week. He dropped back with a bogey on the 15th for the first time, only to secure the win with pars on the 16th and 18th. "That was the coolest moment ever," he said. "I felt like I had kept my emotions in check all day. To let them out on the last hole – just sweet."
