Bridgeman Makes Clinching Putt for US to Win President’s Cup

Former Clemson All-American Jacob Bridgeman made a three-foot eight-inch par putt to defeated Min Woo Lee 1-up, and give the United States 15.5 points and thereby clinch team victory in the President’s Cup. The four-day 30-point event was played at Medinah Country Club near Chicago, IL.

Bridgeman’s victory clinched the greatest final day comeback in United States President’s Cup history.  The International team had a 10.5-7.5 lead entering Sunday’s 12 singles matches, the first time the International team had the lead entering the final day  on United States soil.   But the US had a 9-2-1 record in singles on Sunday to win, 17-13.    

Bridgeman, a three-time All-American at Clemson between 2018-22,  was playing in his first international competition as a professional, just the second former Clemson golfer to be selected.  Lucas Glover played on victorious US President’s Cup teams in 2007 and 2009.

The match between Bridgeman and Lee was close throughout even though Bridgeman trailed after just one hole in the match.  It figured to be a close match as the players had tied for fourth at the Tour Championship last month.  Bridgeman is ranked 20th in the World Golf Rankings and Lee is 30th.    

Bridgeman took a 1-up lead after winning the first hole with a 16-foot birdie putt,  and then went 2-up on the third hole with a seven foot birdie.   

Lee tied the match by winning the fourth hole with a nine-foot birdie,  and by making a 14-footer on the eighth hole.  But Bridgeman came right back to win the par three ninth hole by hitting his tee shot to within nine inches.

Lee won the 12th hole to tie the match with a five-foot seven-inch birdie putt.  He then took the lead for the first and only time in the match by winning the 15th hole with a par.   Bridgeman came back to win the 16th hole with a par to tie the match.    Both players drove the ball into a green side bunker on the par three 16th.   Bridgeman hit his sand shot to within eight feet, nine inches and Lee to within four feet.  It appeared Lee had an advantage, but Bridgeman made his par putt, but Lee missed his, tying the match.

The 17th and 18th holes at Medinah are par four holes.   Bridgeman was second on the PGA Tour in par four scoring average (3.94), only Scottie Sheffler is better (3.88).  Lee was 50th on the PGA Tour in par four scoring this year.     That statistical advantage over the course of the PGA Tour season played out over the final two holes. 

The two players tied the 17th hole.  On 18 with the match tied, both players drove the ball in the rough.   Bridgeman hit his second shot to 27 feet from the pin, but Lee hit his second shot short of the green 99 feet from the pin.  He hit his chip shot short of the hole by 18 feet, seven inches.   Bridgeman hit his approach putt to 3’ 8” and Lee missed his par putt.  

Bridgeman, the number-one putter on the PGA Tour this year, then made his short putt to give the United States 15.5 points, and the overall victory.