Internationals extend Bridges Cup lead ahead of decisive singles session

The Internationals extended their lead over the United States on Day 2 of the Bridges Cup at Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa course. With 12 singles matches remaining on Wednesday, the Internationals lead 12.5-7.5.

The Americans had won all three previous editions of the Bridges Cup: 14-12 at the inaugural event at the Club at Nine Bridges in South Korea in 2022, 19-11 at Les Bordes in France in 2023 and 17-15 at Haesley Golf Club in South Korea in 2024. That run is now in serious danger.

After a dominant opening day by the Internationals at Trump Turnberry’s King Robert the Bruce course, the Americans trailed 6.5-3.5. On Tuesday, the teams played five four-ball matches and five foursomes matches, with the Internationals winning both sessions 3-2.

The Americans opened the morning by winning the first two four-ball matches. Dennis Bull and Andrew Price beat Angus Carrick and Calum Hill, 2 and 1, while Cody Massa and DJ Lantz defeated Caolan Rafferty and Colum Campbell, 1 up. Massa made the decisive birdie on the 18th hole after the Americans had been three down on the 13th tee.

The Internationals then swept the final three morning matches. Gavin Dear and Joshua Jamieson beat Drew Kittleson and Drew Stoltz, 4 and 3; Jacob Austin and Lukas Michel defeated Hoyt McGarity and Scott Anderson, 4 and 3; and Jonathan Bale and Daniel Faccini beat Andrew Medley and Scott Strickland, 3 and 2. The Internationals led 9.5-5.5 at the break.

For the afternoon foursomes, the tee was moved forward on the seventh hole so players could challenge the bunkers at the corner. The change reflected Eric Trump’s vision of moving the green closer to the beach and created an additional risk-reward opportunity.

Andrew Davidson and James White began the afternoon with a 5-and-4 win over Massa and Medley. Kittleson and John Peterson then earned an important U.S. point by defeating Carrick and Hill, 4 and 2.

At 10.5-6.5, the three remaining matches became critical. Rafferty and Campbell held three separate three-up leads over Stoltz and Bull, but the Americans cut the deficit to one hole on the 17th tee. Strickland and Price were tied with Dear and Jamieson heading to the 16th. In the final match, Bale and Faccini never trailed Lantz and Peter Tomasulo and won 4 and 3.

Rafferty and Campbell eventually beat Stoltz and Bull, 2 and 1, while Strickland and Price edged Dear and Jamieson, 2 and 1. The Internationals finished the day with a 12.5-7.5 lead.

Analyst Simon Holmes said the Internationals had held a slight edge so far, but noted that the Americans are traditionally strong in singles. Holmes also praised the quality of the field, calling Drew Kittleson the best player in the tournament and the strongest caddie, while highlighting Joshua Jamieson, Jacob Austin, Lukas Michel and the unbeaten pairing of Jonathan Bale and Daniel Faccini. He said Bale, a new entrant to the event, had formed an especially effective partnership with Colombia’s Faccini.

The Internationals need four of the 12 available points on Wednesday to win the Bridges Cup. The Americans need 8.5 points to retain the Cup. There is precedent for a comeback of that scale: the U.S. team recently won 9.5 of 12 singles points to defeat the Internationals 17-13 in the 2026 Presidents Cup.

The singles matches begin at 8:10 a.m. local time Wednesday. In 1977, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson staged the famous “Duel in the Sun” on the same course, finishing with a dramatic conclusion on the 18th hole.