Three takeaways from Presidents Cup; United States team wins, barely

It is the sixth straight triumph in the event for the Americans, who went into Sunday’s singles matches with a one-point lead in what proved to be the closest tournament since the trophy was shared in 2003.

In a few ways it was also a victory for Nick Price, captain of the team of non-European global players.

When India’s Anirban Lahiri reached the final green against Chris Kirk all square, he was faced with an nearly identical putt to secure a half-point.

Neither Bae-Matsuyama nor Haas-Kuchar led by more than one during the entire match and both had just one birdie each through the first 14 holes. But I’m going to go and ask my team to go and play golf tomorrow.

Global team player Danny Lee of New Zealand plays from a bunker on the 15th hole during his singles match against United States’ Dustin Johnson at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, in Incheon, South Korea, Sunday, October 11, 2015.

The two matches before them had been lost by the favourites with Jason Day being outclassed on the day by Zach Johnson and Jordan Spieth falling to Marc Leishman.

United States’ Phil Mickelson putts on the third green during his…

Worldwide team player Charl Schwartzel of South Africa reacts… Needing to hole out from the fairway on the 18th to force a playoff, he hit close to set up his final birdie.

Spieth and Day played against each other twice on Saturday, though both times with partners in the foursome and four-ball formats.

The USA locked up the win in the anchor match, when US captain Jay Haas’ son and wild-card pick, Bill, defeated Sangmoon Bae in front of his home South Korean crowd by a 2-up margin.

This was likely Bae’s last competition before he begins his mandatory military service.

The United States remain a point ahead of the Internationals in the Presidents Cup following the Saturday foursomes.

He added: “We put him out 12th and had no idea this was going to happen”.

Spieth, however, played overly cautious with a wedge that left Johnson a 30-foot putt that was extremely fast at the hole, and he ran it 7 feet by. Trailing by 1 DOWN entering the final hole, Oosthuizen put his second shot of the par-5 within 10 feet and finished with birdie to win the hole and even the match. He crouched over that covered his face as his caddie, Matt Minister, placed a hand on Bae’s shoulder to console him.

Haas choked back emotion and then chided himself for doing so.

Kirk slammed his fist down when his putt took one last turn and dropped into the cup.

“I’m so happy for the team”, the senior Haas said, choking back on tears.

He’ll undoubtedly be, unfairly, remembered for that last hole, but his inspired play – he kept the match alive with several clutch shots down the stretch – and a 2-1-1 overall record helped make this the most competitive Presidents Cup in a decade.

Haas wasnt the only star.

Lahiri, the first Indian to play at the Presidents Cup, lipped out from just over two feet to hand victory, just as the Internationals looked to be turning the corner. Granted, all it takes for Bubba to lose concentration is a stray camera shutter or ant hill to be in his way, I still think this is a blood bath.

We may not have gotten the Spieth-Day match up we all longed for, but this will have to do.

Such was their dominance that Walker and Kirk thought the match was over at 12, taking off their hats and offering handshakes of congratulations, much to the bewilderment of the opposition.