Needing four-and-a-half points from 12 singles matches to reach the winning total of 15-1/2 the US got the job done early with five contests still to be completed in the contest.
The Internationals needed a miracle on the final day at Quail Hollow and early wins were a priority if they were to end US dominance in the Presidents Cup.
They got their first point on the board in the opening match - Kim Si-woo saw off Justin Thomas to win a tight game on the last.
Momentum was needed down the line-up and things were looking good for the Internationals with the next three of four pairings all up against their US opponents after the front nine.
From there though, the US clawed their way back. In the second match, Jordan Spieth put the hurt on Cameron Davis down the stretch, winning four straight holes from 11 to 14, eventually winning the tie 4&3.
Further back, Sam Burns got the US another half-point after fighting back from two down to draw with Hideki Matsuyama.
The Internationals needed more than halves and they would have hoped former Open champion Adam Scott could have brought them one home. However, up against the might of Patrick Cantlay, he never got in the contest, falling three behind after four holes. Cantlay would seal that match 3&2 on the 16th.
Colombian Sebastian Munoz fought bravely to win a point back against Scottie Scheffler but Tony Finau quickly wiped that out, beating Taylor Pendrith 3&1.
That left the US just one point away from a ninth-straight Presidents Cup and Schauffele delivered despite fierce resistance from Conners on the back nine, securing the vital point on the 18th hole.
"We just wanted to get it done," said Schauffele. "It's always hard to win.
"It's not about me, you know. Everyone else got their points up on the board. It was close. It was stressful."
The International players still out on the course held their own despite the terminal news, winning three of the last five match-ups, meaning the US took home the Presidents Cup once again, this time with a score of 17.5-12.5 points.
"They were fighting. Man, they were fighting," said International captain Trevor Immelman. "I hope fans out there really do appreciate.
"These guys have got massive hearts. Massive hearts.
"And I'll go to battle with them any day."
No one was more aware of the dangers lurking than US captain Davis Love III, who was also leader of the American squad at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah when the Europeans climbed out of a similar four-point hole on the final day to snatch the trophy in what is still regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in golfing history.
I've been a part of, unfortunately, a lot of losing teams," said Love. "There was a lot of different reasons to have pressure.
"But being the big, big, big favourite carries a little bit of weight. I'm glad they ignored it and just played great."
Check out all the scores from the Presidents Cup with Flashscore.
