Trump Credited by U.S. Captain for Presidents Cup Comeback

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker credited former President Donald Trump for providing an energy boost that fueled the Americans' comeback victory over the International team in the Presidents Cup. The U.S. team rallied from a three-point deficit in Sunday singles to secure a 17-13 win at Medinah Country Club.

"One last shoutout: Donald Trump. President Trump. He told me, 'I [am] going to bring energy today for you. You guys need it,'" Snedeker said after the match. "I told him if we did this, he gets all the credit. So, thank you, President Trump."

Trump, the event's honorary chairman, attended the final day of competition and briefly addressed the crowd from the first tee. "You know, the fake news media will say I get a very bad reception," Trump remarked as the crowd responded positively. "But we get a good reception. ... Our country is doing great, better than ever before."

The Americans entered Sunday trailing 10½-7½, facing a situation where they needed to win the majority of singles matches to retain the Cup on home soil. The team's rally saw them win nine of the 12 singles matches, with rookie Jacob Bridgeman clinching the winning point.

Key victories came from early starters like Cameron Young and match play specialist Justin Thomas. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also secured a crucial point, though the International team saw strong performances from players like Tom Kim and Sungjae Im.

Presidents Cup rookie Chris Gotterup also contributed to the comeback, finishing the week with a 3-1 record. Collin Morikawa secured a vital 1-up win over Hideki Matsuyama in a closely contested match.

Patrick Cantlay provided a pivotal moment with a long birdie putt on the 16th hole, which he followed with a fist pump and a shout of "YES! YES!". His victory, along with Morikawa's, put the U.S. ahead for the first time in the final session.

Jackson Koivun, another rookie, flipped his match on the back nine to secure a crucial point. Ultimately, Bridgeman's par putt on the 18th hole sealed the victory for the United States.

Despite the comeback win, the U.S. team faced scrutiny for allowing the International team to gain such a significant lead heading into the final day. The International team had swept Friday's foursomes, similar to the 2024 event, putting the U.S. in a substantial hole. The Americans had opportunities to gain ground on Saturday but struggled to convert leads.

The victory marked the U.S. team's 11th consecutive Presidents Cup win and ninth at home, improving their overall record to 14-1-1. However, the performance has raised questions about the team's ability to perform in team formats, particularly heading into future Ryder Cup competitions.