Brandt Snedeker responds to Wyndham Clark's "kind of dead" Presidents Cup comments

United States Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker appeared to agree with Wyndham Clark after the reigning U.S. Open champion insinuated he was disappointed with the level of support from the home crowd. 

Team USA took a 3-2 lead after day one of the biennial contest against Geoff Ogilvy's International side at Medinah Country Club in Chicago. 

Clark teamed up with Collin Morikawa in the opening four-ball session and the pair starred as they dismantled Adam Scott and Ryan Fox 3&2.

The 32-year-old then told reporters that the atmosphere was "kind of dead" and challenged spectators who will attend the 2012 Ryder Cup venue over the weekend to be more vocal. 

"I felt like the momentum could have been better, to be honest, because we weren't really feeling the fans, I think, as much as normal," said Clark.

He added: "I'm saying this more as a challenge that hopefully tomorrow and the weekend, the fans are out there really rooting us on, and regardless of what happens, we have the momentum."

Asked about Clark's comments, Snedeker agreed and described the day as "weird". 

"I really felt like the fans were out there and they were there, but the first tee was loud, and then it just kind of dissipated as the day went on," he said. 

"I don't know why. I think part of it was because the golf course was set up pretty difficult. 

"There were some really tough pins out there, so it was really hard to get a lot of birdies going and get guys going crazy, I guess. 

"And there's some tough viewing out there on some of the holes where people really couldn't see what was going on."

Presidents Cup day one re-cap

The United States made a strong start to their pursuit of an 11th successive Presidents Cup victory.

Justin Thomas and debutant Jackson Koivun delivered the opening point for Snedeker’s side, defeating Canada’s Corey Conners and Colombia’s Nico Echavarria 4&3.

Scottie Scheffler and close friend Sam Burns added another point after overcoming Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im.

The American pair won the 17th hole before closing out the match, with their opponents left frustrated by a number of missed opportunities on the greens late in the contest.

Clark and Morikawa then gave the United States the overall session lead. 

The two-time major winners controlled their match against Australia’s Scott and reigning Open champion Fox from the first hole, eventually securing a 3&2 victory.

Hideki Matsuyama and Presidents Cup newcomer Ryo Hisatsune earned the International team’s first point of the day with a 3&1 win against Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele.

Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim followed that up with a 3&2 victory over Chris Gotterup and Patrick Cantlay, ensuring the International team remained firmly in the contest heading into the next session.

Friday’s schedule features five foursomes matches, with the competition continuing on Saturday with four four-ball contests in the morning followed by four foursomes matches in the afternoon.

The tournament will conclude with Sunday’s singles, when all 12 players from both teams will compete. 

A team must reach 15½ points to secure overall victory.

Friday foursomes matches