The worldwide team won with a birdie for a half-point. “A few days are better than others”, Haas said philosophically.
Advertisement
But instead of a thrashing or a lopsided victory, this one had all you could ask for – drama, thrills, spills and about 40 different storylines that all played out to a stunning conclusion on Sunday in Korea. It made a difference in the end when Day made an 8-foot birdie putt to halve the match.
This is one of the toughest matches to pick, but I’m taking J.B. Holmes. Reed was 2 UP at one point of the match, but Oosthuizen took over on the 18th.
Two halves were just as critical. Australian Scott, in his seventh Presidents Cup, endured another woeful day on the greens, finding precious little encouragement after switching from a cross-handed to a “claw” grip with the conventional putter.
Oosthuizen completed a 4-0-1 week with a nasty eagle on the final hole to split a point with Reed.
Dustin Johnson and Danny Lee were the features of the third match.
This duo are one shot clear of the chasing pack led by Briton Richard Bland, who shrugged off back pain, and Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat who both fired second consecutive 67s. The Americans won the first hole and never trailed.
Given that this was probably Bae’s last competitive hole for two years, it was heartbreaking to watch. It looks like he got hot on Saturday, but I have a feeling Leishman keeps this close. “His mind is too strong, that’s why we can make the putt to win the match”, said the three-time Asian Tour number one.
United States’ Bubba Watson reacts after missing a putt on the 18th… “If it was a tied match, we would not have played the 16th hole”. Entering the final hole all knotted up. After the Internationals touched 2-up again at 10, Watson single-handedly squared the match with birdies at 12 and 13.
Korda missed a birdie chance on the par-4 18th when her 6-footer slid by on the left side, leaving the 22-year-old American at 12-under 201 at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. I didn’t play well.
For the Internationals, Steven Bowditch hung on to beat Jimmy Walker 2-up, tying the score at 12 1/2 apiece.
Then for a brief moment on the 18th green in the least appealing match, it appeared the Internationals were about to take it outright.
Haas secured victory on the 18th hole of a tense finale to the competition.
FanSided Daily brings you the hottest content on your favorite teams. Unfortunately, Jason Day didn’t continue his dominance like he did in the final weeks of the season.
Johnson hit his tee shot to 7 feet on the par-3 17th, and Spieth poured in the putt to square the match. Seven of the 12 matches went the distance.
The South Africans have certainly done their part, with Grace producing two critical shots.
“This is what we all came here for – for it to be exciting tomorrow”, global captain Nick Price said.
The final session was not without its share of heartbreak.
The USA lost once and tied once in Presidents Cup play. When Haas splashed out close, Bae conceded the hole.
Advertisement
Players must stick with the same model of golf ball for the entire match in fourballs and singles. With 30 matches in total, the team that reached 15 1/2 points first would win the Presidents Cup. Bae and Haas aren’t two of the biggest names in golf or in this competition, but given the backstory and the setting, it was the ideal finish to a Sunday singles session that would give any Ryder Cup a run. The circumstances were dire for the U.S. and it got downright depressing after Kirk rocketed a chip past the cup.
