Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay have been part of five U.S. teams and have won four times, with the only loss being in the Ryder Cup in Rome. The Americans have not won the Ryder Cup overseas since 1993, the year Schauffele was born.
Schauffele talks about a “new guard” making their mark in the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup matches, and the “Big Four” of American team golf is starting to emerge.
At Royal Montreal, Schauffele, Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, and Scottie Scheffler played all five matches and helped earn nearly half of the American points in an 18 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory. Scheffler had a record of 3-2-0, while the other three were 4-1-0.
“It’s our turn to carry it on,” Schauffele said after winning his singles match against Jason Day by 4-and-3 on Sunday. “It’s part of the new team. They’re going to see a lot of familiar faces for the next however many years.”
Justin Thomas could be a part of this group as well. He had played in six cups in a row before not being selected for the Presidents Cup team. Thomas has a record of 17-7-4 in both the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup.
Jordan Spieth used to be a key player, but he has missed two out of the last five teams.
Cantlay stood out as the most dependable player, improving his cup record to 15-6-1 and making important putts, whether against Rory McIlroy last year in Rome or in a tight spot during a foursomes match.
“The moments that match play creates and playing for a team and playing for the United States brings out the best in me,” Cantlay said. “And I love these weeks.”
