Fred Couples had a hunch — and it produced something special for the U.S.

One of the first times Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay spent meaningful time together was during an intense game of gin rummy on the way to the 2019 Presidents Cup. The U.S. team’s 26-hour charter flight from the Bahamas to Melbourne gave the Presidents Cup rookies plenty of time to get to know each other — over sets, runs and exchanged dollars.

The spark between them did not escape U.S. vice-captain Fred Couples. In Schauffele and Cantlay, he saw more than budding friends; he saw the beginnings of a partnership.

“Freddy was like, ‘Hey, I think these two guys would be unbelievable together,’” Schauffele said Wednesday at this year’s Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club outside Chicago. “The way we play, we almost turn into one person when we’re playing alternate shot, which is all you can ask for. We hold each other accountable, but we know each of us is trying our absolute hardest on every shot. We have each other’s backs. Freddy orchestrated that, and he was right.”

Schauffele and Cantlay played four matches together that week in Melbourne, winning two and losing two. Two years later, at the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, they teamed up twice more and went 2-0, including a 5-and-3 foursomes win over Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter.

In all, the duo has played nine Presidents Cup matches together, going 4-1 in foursomes and 1-3 in four-ball. They have also played six Ryder Cup matches together, going 3-3 in foursomes. Combined, that is 7-4 in foursomes, 1-3 in four-ball and 8-7 overall.

“Fred Couples is actually the one who made that happen,” Schauffele said. “I don’t know if anyone has really stated that. PC and I both love Fred.”

Cantlay, who has long known Couples from the Newport Beach, California, golf scene, corroborated the account of how the pair became “fast friends” after their four-match run in Melbourne.

That does not mean Schauffele and Cantlay have been invincible together. Their record is only slightly better than .500. Four-ball has been particularly unproductive, but Schauffele said that reflects their limited experience in the format more than an inability to mesh.

He pointed to their partnership at the 2022 Zurich Classic, where they opened with a four-ball 59. Schauffele made six birdies that day, while Cantlay added five birdies and an eagle.

“If we played 100 four-ball rounds, who knows what our record would be?” Schauffele said.

Schauffele noted that when the team’s analytics staff weighs optimal pairings, “SG: Kinship” goes only so far, especially in four-ball, where each player plays his own ball.

“Even though we’re friends, there are better matchups to complement the holes in our games,” he said.

At the 2024 Presidents Cup, Schauffele twice won in four-ball with Tony Finau, while Cantlay did the same with Sam Burns. In Thursday’s opening four-ball matches at Medinah, Schauffele was paired with Cameron Young and Cantlay with Chris Gotterup.

“I think there are a lot of guys who pair up well together,” Cantlay said Wednesday. “The captains are looking at stats, among other factors, so I think we’re a good alternate-shot team and we’ve had success. It’s always comfortable to have that pairing. I don’t think I’ve played alternate shot in one of these events with anybody else.”

The most memorable foursomes match for Schauffele and Cantlay came two years ago in Montreal against Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim. Because of an earlier weather delay, the match extended into near-darkness, with a fleet of golf carts illuminating the 18th green.

When Cantlay faced a 17-footer to win, Schauffele had a feeling about what would happen next.

“I always tell PC, if it’s getting dark at home and we’re going to finish close to dark, the match is over,” Schauffele said Wednesday. “I don’t like playing Pat when it gets dark. He has a knack for making these putts in the dark in team events.”

Cantlay holed the putt to extend the U.S. lead to 11-7. His teammates celebrated, and the Americans never looked back, winning Sunday, 18.5-11.5.

Somewhere, Fred Couples was smiling.