Woods makes history and inspires USA to Presidents Cup victory
Presidents Cup report: What happened on day three?
The Internationals hold a slender lead heading into the final day’s singles as they look to secure their first Presidents Cup win since 1998.
Despite Tiger Woods deciding not to play at all on Saturday, the American side rallied to put themselves within striking distance of their rivals.
Saturday at the Presidents Cup is the only day to feature two sessions with fourballs in the morning and foursomes in the afternoon.
Morning fourballs
Rickie Fowler/Justin Thomas beat Marc Leishman/Haotong Li – 3&2
The only fourball victory for the USA on day three came in the opening match. Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas were a popular pairing and proved effective.
Haotong Li was making his first start and neither he nor Marc Leishman were able to keep up with the Americans. They dominated throughout and led from the fifth.
The Closer. 🇺🇸@JustinThomas34 continues his dominance in 🇦🇺.
He remains undefeated in this year's @PresidentsCup. 🙌#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/V6F5KM8X7p
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 14, 2019
Abraham Ancer/Sungjae Im beat Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele – 3&2
Abraham Ancer continued his thoroughly impressive debut alongside Sungjae Im as they saw off Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
The Internationals pair were in control throughout, leading from the 8th, and only lost one hole – the 12th.
We 👀 you rookie. 😏@Abraham_Ancer made three straight birdies to close the match. 👌#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/OcQ30FsXgK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 14, 2019
CT Pan/Hideki Matsuyama beat Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed – 5&3
CT Pan and Hideki Matsuyama were the most dominant duo on Saturday as they added further misery to Patrick Reed’s week.
After trailing at the first, there was no way back for Reed and Webb Simpson, who have now lost all three matches they’ve played together.
Aggressive play by @ctpangolf at the short par-4. 😤
His eagle putt was conceded to win the hole. 👏#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/SSjyYD734Q
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 13, 2019
Byeong Hun An/Adam Scott halved with Tony Finau/Matt Kuchar
The only halved match of Saturday morning came in the final clash as reliable veteran Adam Scott partnered Byeong Hun An in a tight affair.
Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar were in the driving seat on the front nine, but the tables turned on the back as the Internationals led by one for most of the stretch.
Final hole heroics from Finau saw him make a crucial birdie and snatch half a point.
Afternoon Foursomes
Gary Woodland/Dustin Johnson beat Adam Scott/Louis Oosthuizen – 2&1
As the Americans looked to close the gap ahead of the final day, Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland got them off the perfect start.
Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen were in the match for the most part with the two pairs trading blows on the front nine. On the back nine, the visitors gained control and secured the point without too much drama.
Marc Leishman/Abraham Ancer halved with Justin Thomas/Rickie Fowler
This match proved the highlight of the afternoon and could be a significant moment should the Internationals go on to win.
Fowler filled the void left by Tiger Woods, again pairing with Thomas, and they raced to a huge lead.
Five-up after seven, the Americans were cruising, but a stunning finish from the home pair snatched a half from the jaws of defeat.
Three down with three to play, Leishman and Ancer delivered a block buster finish, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Ancer put his tee shot in the fairway at the last while Thomas left his partner in trouble with a wild one. Leishman put fired the ball in close as they completed a remarkable comeback.
Ice in his veins.@marcleish steps up just when the #IntlTeam needed it. pic.twitter.com/4Urczr16Gd
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 14, 2019
Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele beat Sungjae Im/Cameron Smith – 2&1
Through ten holes, things were going well for the home side as they led by one but, after losing their advantage at the 11th, there was to be no way back.
Cantlay and Schauffele made three birdies on the back nine to take the lead and closed out the victory on the 17th green.
Joaquin Niemann/Byeong Hun An halved with Tony Finau/Matt Kuchar
There was drama aplenty in the final match as yet another came down to the final green. The Internationals trailed from the first until the 14th but, from there, produced a special performance to seal a half.
An teed off at the last and missed the fairway by a long way, but Niemann stepped up and played a stunning approach from the rough.
Just what he needed.@ByeongHunAn shows off his touch around the green to win the 11th hole for the #IntlTeam. pic.twitter.com/3vVBXagYth
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 14, 2019
What happened over the first two days of the Presidents Cup? Turn the page to get a recap of all the action.
Joe Hughes
Tour editor covering men's golf, women's golf and anything else that involves the word golf, really. The talk is far better than the game, but the work has begun to change that.
