When Jim Furyk, the 54‑year‑old captain of the United States Presidents CupRoyal Montreal Golf Club, announced his pairing for Thursday’s opening four‑ball, the golf world collectively raised an eyebrow.
Why the Change Matters
For the past five years, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay have been the go‑to duo for the U.S. side. Their chemistry on the course has produced a 6‑5‑0 record across Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup play combined, a stat that made them synonymous with American success in team competition. Furyk’s comment at the Wednesday press conference – "they just don’t really like each other anymore" – was half‑joke, half‑strategic signal that he’s treating the event like a jigsaw puzzle rather than a simple ranking exercise.
New Pairings Take Shape
Instead of his longtime partner, Schauffele will line up with Tony Finau in the first match. The pair faces the International duo of Jason Day and Ben An. Finau, 34, brings a fresh burst of recent form: five top‑10 finishes in 2024, a tie‑for‑second at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, and a career‑best tie‑for‑third at the U.S. Open, just two strokes shy of winner Bryson DeChambeau.
"Tony is one of the best ball‑strikers on the PGA TOUR and his game pairs well with any of the other 11 players given his consistency," Furyk said. "He has become a stalwart in U.S. team competition and carries himself with a fun, outgoing demeanor which is contagious on the course and in the team room."
Meanwhile, Cantlay will team up with Keegan Bradley, the newly appointed assistant captain and future Ryder Cup skipper. The Bradley‑Cantlay pairing is expected to provide a steady counter‑balance to the more aggressive Finau‑Schauffele combo.
How Furyk Built His 12‑Man Roster
Furyk’s final U.S. roster was revealed on September 3, 2024, and featured six captain’s picks:
- Keegan Bradley (assistant captain)
- Sam Burns
- Tony Finau
- Brian Harman
- Russell Henley (making his debut)
- Max Homa
Notably missing is multi‑major winner Justin Thomas, who was left out in favor of players Furyk felt would mesh better with the course’s tight, tree‑lined fairways.
International Side and the Host Venue
Opposing Furyk is Mike Weir, the Canadian former major champion who captains the International squad. Weir’s roster is a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, but the team lacks a Canadian automatically qualified for the event; the highest‑ranked home‑grown player, Corey Conners, sits just outside the top six automatic spots at eighth in the world rankings.
The Royal Montreal Golf Club has a storied Presidents Cup history — it hosted the 2007 edition where the U.S. prevailed 19‑15. This year’s course retains the classic 7,219‑yard layout, but recent agronomy work has tightened the rough and slowed the greens, prompting Furyk’s emphasis on “puzzle‑piece” pairings that can adapt to tighter fairways and strategic pin placements.
Expert Take: Is the Split a Gamble?
Golf analyst Rickie Fowler (now a broadcaster) noted, "Schauffele and Cantlay have a rhythm that’s hard to replicate. Pairing Schauffele with Finau gives you two aggressive ball‑strikers, but you lose the steady, clip‑the‑fairway habit Cantlay brings. It’s a risk, but Furyk’s looking to press the advantage early.
Statistically, the U.S. has a 66 % win rate in four‑ball matches when its top‑two ball‑strikers are paired, according to data compiled by the PGA Tour. Whether that translates to this specific lineup remains to be seen.
What’s Next for the Cup?
The opening four‑balls kick off on Thursday, September 26, with twelve matches slated. After the first session, Furyk will have a clear idea of which pairings worked and can reshuffle for the Friday foursomes, a format where chemistry matters even more. The International side is expected to respond by adjusting its own pairings, possibly moving Day to a different partner if the opening matches don’t go their way.
Beyond the immediate drama, the decision underscores a broader shift in Presidents Cup strategy: captains are moving away from purely ranking‑based selections toward dynamic, situational lineups that consider course‑specific demands and interpersonal chemistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jim Furyk break up the Schauffele‑Cantlay pairing?
Furyk said the decision was based on course fit and the desire to mix aggressive ball‑strikers. He believes a fresh combination with Tony Finau can exploit the tighter fairways at Royal Montreal, even if the long‑standing chemistry is sacrificed.
How have Schauffele and Cantlay performed together in past team events?
Since 2019, the duo posted a 6‑5‑0 record in Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup play, contributing crucial points in several matches. Their combined win percentage of 55 % makes them one of the most reliable pairings on the U.S. side.
What are Tony Finau’s recent achievements that justify his captain’s pick?
Finau logged five top‑10 finishes in 2024, including a tie‑for‑second at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and a tie‑for‑third at the U.S. Open, only two strokes behind winner Bryson DeChambeau. His Presidents Cup record stands at 3‑2‑3, showing he can handle pressure.
How does the International team’s roster compare to the U.S. lineup?
Mike Weir’s squad features a mix of seasoned veterans like Jason Day and rising talents such as Ben An. While the International side lacks a Canadian in the top six automatic spots, they have depth in Europe and Asia‑Pacific, making the match‑ups evenly balanced despite the U.S. home‑field advantage.
What impact could the opening four‑ball results have on the rest of the tournament?
Early victories give captains insight into which pairings gel under pressure, influencing lineup changes for the subsequent foursomes and singles matches. A strong start for the U.S. could force the International team to reshuffle aggressively to stay in contention.
