The worldwide side had to have all the close matches go their way, and that’s what happened.
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Branden Grace delivered two big shots in gathering darkness Saturday that kept the worldwide team within one point of the Americans going into the final day at the Presidents Cup in Incheon, South Korea. The day was set up for a few dramatics.
“We’re committed to growing our enviable calendar of major events, and securing events like the Presidents Cup and the World Cup of Golf do just that”, said Victoria minister of tourism John Eren at the news conference. In 2011, Fred Couples led the U.S. Team to a 19-15 win over Greg Norman and the Internationals.
Today’s singles matches were moved up one hour because of rain in the forecast. Reed was 2 UP at one point of the match, but Oosthuizen took over on the 18th.
It wasn’t meant to be, however, as Bae botched his third shot, a chip from the front of the green that skidded up toward the green only to roll back down toward the dismayed player.
Rickie Fowler battled Adam Scott in the second match of the day and it didn’t go so well for the American. Lee Janzen (68) and first-round leader Bernhard Langer (73) are at 6 under.
But Johnson found the water off the tee at the fourth hole, gifting the 25-year-old Kiwi a hole back and he grew in confidence from there playing in the third of 12 singles matches.
The teams split both sessions.
Hideki Matsuyama, International, def. J.B. Holmes, United States, 1 up. He actually took a 1 up lead after the 14th hole, but Johnson closed him out with three straight holes won.
Louis Oosthuizen had won all four of his matches up till Sunday but was behind most of the way against Patrick Reed before holing a dramatic eagle putt on 18 to snatch a half for the Internationals and keep his unbeaten record intact.
United States’ Bubba Watson reacts after missing a putt on the 18th… On the final hole, Spieth hit a pitch to tap-in range for a birdie, and Leishman had to make a 7-foot putt to assure the win. It was Bill Haas’ first win truly that wasn’t just for himself. Bubba Watson missed a 5-foot birdie putt that would have won the match.
It sure felt like it to Bae, who made his debut in the Presidents Cup one to remember.
Jimmy Walker and Steven Bowditch was the match for the sixth event.
The Americans had a 9 1/2-8 1/2 lead.
It all comes down to this – Sunday Singles at the Presidents Cup.
That’s where Chris Kirk, who was 0-2 before Sunday, hit an terrible chip shot, giving Anirban Lahiri, who was inside five feet, a huge advantage to steal yet another point on the final green.
World number one Jordan Spieth was two up after two holes against Marc Leishman.
On Friday he had holed a 12-footer to win his match as wild celebrations erupted.
The Champion Golfer of the Year duked it out with the PGA Championship victor for the 10th match.
“He is the Alpha dog”, Zach Johnson said. He left Jason Day 0-4-1 for the week after beating him 3 and 2 on Saturday. Grace built a dominating lead by going 5 UP by the 9th hole. He just never could put the South African away.
“Across the board, the players were all in when we were texting and talking to them”, Haas said.
The coach’s son and the hometown hero were the features for the final match.
Mickelson has never missed a Presidents Cup since it began in 1994, and this might be his most special.
Strangely, for much of the day it appeared that Haas’ match with Bae would be of little outcome. “So he had to stand up and man up, and hit that golf ball”.
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But the Presidents Cup remains on a knife-edge with the score 7.5-7.5 with three matches to be completed.
