Scheffler Dominates AmEx; Jason Day and Si Woo Kim Shine for Internationals

The 2026 American Express ended with a familiar modern golf image: Scottie Scheffler separating from the field and closing another PGA Tour win. For Presidents Cup purposes, though, the week also delivered meaningful International Team evidence through Jason Day and Si Woo Kim.

Scheffler finished at 27-under, four shots clear of the closest chasers. Day finished tied for second at 23-under, while Si Woo Kim finished tied for sixth after holding the 54-hole lead.

Scheffler Sets the Bar

For Team USA, Scheffler's win reinforced the simplest truth in the 2026 Presidents Cup race: Brandt Snedeker has an anchor. Scheffler's value is not only that he wins; it is that he gives the American side a dependable first name on almost any session sheet.

In a low-scoring event like The American Express, that reliability still matters. A player who can dominate birdie conditions gives a captain confidence in four-ball, where pressure often comes from making opponents chase.

The shape of the win is also useful. Scheffler did not need a survival contest or a firm major-style setup to show his edge. He won in a tournament where the field knew a deep number would be required. That kind of adaptability is exactly what makes him difficult in team formats: he can win with ball-striking control, but he can also keep up when the week becomes a putting and wedge contest.

Day and Si Woo Kim

Day's final-round 64 and T2 finish were important because the International Team needs veteran scoring behind Hideki Matsuyama. Day has the experience, short-game quality, and calm temperament to matter at Medinah if his form holds.

Si Woo Kim's T6 was also useful, even though he slipped from the 54-hole lead. His history at Pete Dye courses and his ability to generate birdies make him one of Geoff Ogilvy's more interesting four-ball options. The final round showed there is still volatility, but the week still strengthened his broader case.

The difference between Day and Kim is role clarity. Day looks like a stabilizer if he keeps producing high finishes: a player who can be paired with a younger teammate and keep the match organized. Si Woo Kim is more of a momentum option. He can win holes quickly, create emotion, and make an opponent uncomfortable, but a captain still has to decide when that volatility is worth using.

Tom Kim finished farther back, so his week should not be oversold. He remains central to the International Team's long-term identity, but this result was not the same kind of positive signal as Day's contention or Si Woo Kim's top-10 finish. That distinction is important for quality control: not every player mention needs to become a forced positive.

Medinah Meaning

The American Express is not a direct Medinah comparison. It is lower scoring, played in different conditions, and rewards a different style of aggression. The value is roster context. Scheffler looks like Scheffler. Day looks relevant again. Si Woo Kim looks dangerous but still in need of steadier closing.

That is enough to make the week useful. The Presidents Cup is built from many such data points, and La Quinta gave both captains something to file away.

For Snedeker, the note is simple: the U.S. ceiling remains extremely high when Scheffler is already winning in January. For Ogilvy, the note is more nuanced. Day gave him a veteran performance worth tracking. Si Woo Kim showed enough to stay near the front of the depth conversation. Tom Kim's quieter finish leaves room for later evidence.

The correct takeaway is therefore measured rather than dramatic. This was not a Presidents Cup preview in disguise, and it did not decide any selection race. It was an early-season result with real information attached: one American superstar in full control, one International veteran surging, and one International wild card still capable of changing the energy of a match.