Presidents Cup: Internationals sweep Friday foursomes to lead USA 7-3

The International team ripped the Presidents Cup open with a 5-0 sweep on Friday to lead the United States 7-3 after two days at Medinah, according to BBC Sport.

It was a complete turn. The United States had led 3-2 after Thursday's fourballs, where each player plays his own ball and the best score on each hole counts for the team.

Friday was foursomes, the alternate-shot format where partners take turns hitting the same ball. One loose drive or missed putt hurts both men. The Internationals did not miss.

Sungjae Im and Hideki Matsuyama struck first, beating Russell Henley and Jacob Bridgeman 3&2. That margin means three holes ahead with only two left to play, so the match ends early.

Then came the tight ones. Corey Conners and Nick Taylor edged world number one Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns by one hole. Ryan Fox and Min Woo Lee did the same to Collin Morikawa and Wyndham Clark, winning on the final green.

Adam Scott and Christiaan Bezuidenhout beat Justin Thomas and Cameron Young 3&2. Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim finished the rout with a 4&3 win over Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, four ahead with three to play.

The Americans had started brightly on Thursday. Justin Thomas and 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun took the first point of the week with a 4&3 win, according to Reuters.

What makes this stand out is history. The Presidents Cup began in 1994 as a contest between the US and an International side drawn from outside Europe. The Internationals have not won it since 1998. Team USA is chasing an 11th straight victory, according to Sky Sports.

For fans, this means a live weekend. The schedule calls for four foursomes and four fourballs on Saturday, then 12 singles on Sunday. Four points behind, the Americans need a fast start. The Internationals need to hold their nerve.