United States take 3-2 Presidents Cup lead after opening fourballs

The United States finished the opening day of the Presidents Cup with a 3-2 lead over the International team after Thursday's five fourball matches at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. BBC Sport reported that the Americans won three matches as they began their attempt to secure an 11th consecutive victory in the biennial competition.

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Justin Thomas and Presidents Cup newcomer Jackson Koivun delivered the first American point. They defeated Corey Conners of Canada and Colombia's Nico Echavarria 4&3, completing their match with three holes remaining. The result gave captain Brandt Snedeker an early return from a pairing that included one of his team's rookies.

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns added another US victory against Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im. Scheffler won the 17th hole before the American pair protected their advantage through the finish. According to the BBC report, Lee and Im missed several putts in the closing stages of that contest.

Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa also won for the hosts, beating Adam Scott and Ryan Fox 3&2. The Americans moved ahead on the first hole and completed the win with two holes left to play. Their point helped ensure the United States would carry a narrow overall advantage into the second day.

The International team collected its two points through Japanese and South Korean partnerships. Hideki Matsuyama and debutant Ryo Hisatsune beat Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele 3&1. Kim Si-woo and Tom Kim defeated Chris Gotterup and Patrick Cantlay 3&2, keeping captain Geoff Ogilvy's side within a point of the Americans after the opening session.

Ogilvy's team is seeking only the second International victory in Presidents Cup history, following its success in 1998. The opening results left that pursuit alive despite the US session win. Snedeker, in comments reported by BBC Sport, welcomed the advantage regardless of the manner in which it had been achieved.

Friday brings five foursomes matches using the alternate-shot format. Saturday's schedule comprises four fourball matches in the morning and four foursomes in the afternoon, before all 12 players on each team contest Sunday's singles. The target for outright victory is 15½ points.