United States captain Jim Furyk says the decision not to pair Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay together in the opening fourballs of the Presidents Cup was made in the best interests of the team.
The Ryder Cup-style tournament which sees the US take on a non-European international side begins in Montreal, Canada on Thursday with five fourball matches.
Schauffele and Cantlay are close friends and played two ties together in last year’s Ryder Cup in Rome, while they also won two of three contests when paired together in the USA’s 2022 Presidents Cup victory.
However, Furyk has decided to put world No 2 Schauffele with Tony Finau in the opening match against Jason Day and Byeong Hun An, while Cantlay is partnered with Sam Burns against Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners.
Furyk said: “We are trying to maximise our 10 guys on the course, trying to maximise our potential, get the five groups out there on the golf course.
“Talking to my assistants and the statistical guys, there are a number of different reasons.
“We know they [Schauffele and Cantlay] play all their practice rounds together, they are great friends, they get along very well.
“We are determined to go out there this year and change the script of this event,” the 44-year-old Scott told reporters on Wednesday.
“Certainly, I want to improve my record in this event and I’m very determined. I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get, if any. So this is a big week for me.
“But I have a lot of belief in this team. I can’t remember feeling so comfortable coming into a Presidents Cup.”
Scott added: “I don’t know how I’d feel [if we won]. It is certainly something I’ve thought about… it is an accomplishment outside of our individual performances that we miss.
“I think if I answered now, I would probably underestimate the impact it would have if we were to get a win.”
Presidents Cup: Thursday fourball matches
Matches begin at approximately 4.35pm
Jason Day (Aus) and Byeong Hun An (Kor) vs Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau (USA)
Adam Scott (Aus) and Min Woo Lee (Aus) vs Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala (USA)
Sungjae Im (Kor) and Tom Kim (Kor) vs Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley (USA)
Taylor Pendrith (Can) and Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Rsa) vs Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley (USA)
Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn) and Corey Conners (Can) vs Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns (USA)
Who will win the Presidents Cup? Watch the 2024 contest from September 26-29 live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday September 26 from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the Presidents Cup and more with NOW.