US benches Scottie Scheffler at Presidents Cup in bold decision: ‘My head is still spinning’

Scottie Scheffler was surprisingly a scratched golfer Saturday afternoon at the Presidents Cup.

The world’s No.1 golfer helped the American squad win a match in the morning four-ball competition, but U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker elected to exclude Scheffler from his roster for the alternate-shot format in foursomes later in the day at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.

Scheffler, who was shown out on the course cheering on his teammates, is likely to be used in Sunday’s singles competition.

USA team’s Scottie Scheffler celebrates after defeating the International team in their Presidents Cup golf tournament third round four-ball match at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

“I feel like Scottie’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders carrying Team USA. It’s time for us to carry him for a session,” Snedeker told reporters between sessions. “It was tough. It’s probably why my head is still spinning.

“We were trying to do our best to get these guys in a good situation. I love Scottie Scheffler to death, that was a really tough decision to sit him this afternoon. But I wanted to get him some rest and wanted him to get ready to go tomorrow in singles.”

The U.S. squad trailed 8.5-5.5 entering Saturday’s afternoon session, but the 30-year-old Scheffler and partner Sam Burns came back from one down on the 15th hole to win their match 2 and 1 against Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune.

Burns closed out the victory with birdies on both Nos. 16 and 17.

Still, Scheffler, the four-time major champion, has struggled in team competitions the past few years, including much of Saturday’s early round.

This marks the first time since the 2023 Ryder Cup that Scheffler has not been included during a round at a major team match-play competition.

USA team’s Scottie Scheffler hits from the 13th tee against the International team during a Presidents Cup golf tournament third round four-ball match at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

“Our team is a great team, and I’m looking forward to going out and supporting the guys,” Scheffler told NBC.

Burns instead played with Wyndham Clark, with Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley and Jacob Bridgeman, and Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup serving as the other afternoon pairings.