USA clings to 1-point lead in Presidents Cup

NICK Price’s Internationals were reeling after being towelled up by a more polished United States of America team which took a firm grip of the 11th Presidents Cup after the opening round foursomes in South Korea.

“I was thrilled for both of us”, said a grateful Matsuyama.

“We believe that is a huge honour for our country, our State and our capital city Melbourne, and we sincerely thank the PGA for the opportunity to do so”.

The only other team to go 4-0 in the Presidents Cup was Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in 2009.

Marc Leishman of Australia then upset world No. 1 Jordan Spieth 1-up, rallying from 2-down after two holes, and his victory cut the deficit to 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 with two matches remaining. Spieth was 8 under on his own ball. The only drama was whether to finish. He wasn’t sure what kind of reception he would receive at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.

That match ended halved, as did the next fixture, which saw Bae Sang-moon and Hideki Matsuyama fight back on the last to earn a half-point against Bill Haas and Matt Kuchar.

Bae, who will start his compulsory two-year military service soon, sank to his haunches and put his head in his hands after he fluffed his final approach shot.

Today’s singles matches were moved up one hour because of rain in the forecast. “I could have gotten us below the hole”, Spieth said.

The news was cheered to the rafters by the large band of traveling Australian spectators called “The Fanatics”, who have lit up the first Presidents Cup held in Asia this week with their hilarious singing, colorful costumes and friendly banter. Johnson went 5 up thru 11 holes before Day won three straight. The worldwide team won the 18th to halve another match.

Walker was not great all week, but really played pretty well late in his match.

The teams split both sessions.

Grace and Oosthuizen were all square with Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes, and it was clear their fourballs match would set the tone for the final round. Grace was left of the green on the 16th when he chipped in, raising his arms before the ball even reached the cup and sharing a bear hug with his longtime South African friend. Bill, who is maybe the most monotone and deadpan player on the PGA Tour, even broke down a little bit in an interview on the 18th green. Haas got out of the bunker and Bae conceded. “It’s just golf“, he said. He then chunked his chip for the final blow to the worldwide Team, and watched in agony as the ball hit the top of the hill just shy of the green and rolled back toward him. Let’s take a look at how all 12 matches played out.

“No moment is too big for him”, Oosthuizen said.

But the American duo showed their class after going to the ninth just one up and eventually ran away with the match 4 and 3. Price chose to keep them together, and it paid off. The 2017 Presidents Cup will be contested at Liberty National in New Jersey. History is still against the global team.

“We think that at the end of the day, it will be maybe one point or half a point that will make or break this year’s Presidents Cup”, he said.

It gave the worldwide team high spirits and strong hope that it can at least be a contest.

“I feel like we spotted the International’s best team two holes, and they still couldn’t beat us”, Mickelson said.