US edge International team in tight Presidents Cup opener

Sept 24 : The United States began their bid for an 11th consecutive Presidents Cup title with a 3-2 lead over the International Team after Thursday's opening fourball session at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago.

Justin Thomas and 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun put the first point on the board for the Americans with a 4&3 victory over Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria.

Koivun made two early birdies as the Americans took control, and they never trailed before the Internationals conceded the 15th. The victory extended Thomas' unbeaten record in Presidents Cup fourballs to 7-0-0.

"It was fun to be out there with Jackson and watch him do his thing. He's really impressive to watch, and I'm really happy he's on my team," Thomas said.

The Internationals quickly answered through Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune, who beat Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele 3&1 to level the session at 1-1.

The Japanese pair moved two up after nine holes and held off a late challenge from the Americans, with Hisatsune answering Young's birdie at the 15th before the Internationals closed out the match.

"I'm just lucky," Hisatsune said. "Playing with Hideki, he's also a friend, so (he) gives me more trust every single time."

SCHEFFLER, BURNS HOLD ON

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns restored the US lead with a 1-up victory over Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im, finally earning a Presidents Cup win together after struggling to convert previous opportunities.

The Americans raced into an early four-hole lead but saw it disappear, and Im moved the Internationals ahead at the 13th. Burns immediately responded with a birdie at the next hole, hitting an eight-iron to a couple of feet.

"It was kind of a key moment in our match just to kind of snatch back some of that