Ryan Fox has suffered defeat in his first Presidents Cup match, with the United States taking a 3-2 lead over the International Team after the opening day at Medinah Country Club.
The New Zealander partnered experienced Australian Adam Scott in Thursday’s four-ball session but the pair were beaten 3 and 2 by Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa.
Clark set the tone with birdies on three of the opening four holes as the Americans established an early advantage that Fox and Scott were unable to overturn.
Fox is making his Presidents Cup debut as the International Team attempts to claim the trophy for just the second time, having recorded its only victory at Royal Melbourne in 1998.
Despite Fox’s defeat, captain Geoff Ogilvy’s side picked up two valuable points to stay within one of the Americans after the five opening matches.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune defeated Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele 3 and 1, while the South Korean combination of Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim beat Chris Gotterup and Patrick Cantlay 3 and 2.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns delivered the opening point for the United States with a 1-up victory over Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im.
Their contest was the only match to reach the 18th hole. Scheffler and Burns moved ahead at the 17th before halving the final hole to secure the point.
Justin Thomas and Presidents Cup rookie Jackson Koivun also impressed for the hosts, defeating Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria 4 and 3.
Koivun made important birdies early in the round before Thomas helped close out the match with birdies at the 14th and 15th.
The opening session leaves plenty still to play for, with the Americans holding a narrow 3-2 advantage heading into the second day.
For Fox, the focus now turns to securing his first Presidents Cup point as the International Team looks to remain firmly in the contest at Medinah.
