The jubilant USA Team – photo Golfile
In the final analysis the outcome of the 2019 Presidents Cup came down to a weight of numbers, those numbers being the world ranking strength of the Americans compared to that of the Internationals who were so brave in their attempt to win the event for just the second occasion in the 13 times the event has been held since 1994.
The final result was 16 to 14 and perhaps, to a large extent, that margin represented just how close this Presidents Cup was, despite the disparity between the relative strengths of the teams.
Leading into today’s singles matches by a two-point margin, the Internationals needed only 5½ points of the 12 on offer today to take the encounter, but holding off the powerful Americans was never going to be an easy task and they would need to build some early momentum.
Working against them, however, was the presence of Tiger Woods who had intentionally put himself in the first match of the day in order that his current good form would lead to an early point for the Americans and set the tone for those behind on the golf course and that was exactly how it would work out.
It was thrust and counter thrust between Woods and Mexican, Abraham Ancer, however, especially over the opening nine holes and, although never behind in the match, Woods was still forced to fight hard for what was 3&2 victory.
When that first match had finished the score was 10-9 to the Internationals but with so many of the matches on the golf course favouring the Americans, the tide was turning in their favour and it was a case of whether the or not the Internationals could have any say in halting the increasing momentum being built by their opponents.
There were still enough points remaining in the matches on the golf course for there to be hope however and with half points from Adam Hadwin and Hideki Matsuyama and a full point from the impressive Sungjae Im it was 12 points each with another six points still up for grabs.
Patrick Cantlay added another point for the Americans when he defeated Joaquin Niemann 3&2 and the defending champions were ahead 13 – 12.
Wins by Xander Schauffele and Webb Simpson took the total to 15 for the Americans and at that point they became mathematically unbeatable although when Cameron Smith defeated Justin Thomas, who had been 3 up early in their match, the USA could not lose the encounter but for the Internationals the door remained open to at least share the honours.
Until, that is, Matt Kuchar holed a putt at the 17th to go 1 up with one to play and therefore the worst he could do was a half point in his match against Louis Oosthuizen and the result had been determined in favour of the Americans.
The final match on the golf course was between Marc Leishman and Rickie Fowler and that they shared honours was a fitting end to a close match and a week in which both teams felt like they could win or lose.
So, the Americans are successful again in this very statistically one-sided contest but this week the contest was far less one-sided than any stats could indicate.
To have kept the outcome in doubt until late into Sunday afternoon ensured there was interest for the huge crowds that flocked to Royal Melbourne and a worldwide audience to the very end and confirmed that the final result was perhaps not as predictable as the relative strengths of the suggested it might be.
Tiger Woods showed raw emotion in his post event interviews. Clearly this was a very proud moment and a special achievement in a career full of achievements.
“We won and we did it together,” said Woods highlighting his pleasure in being part of a team. “I’ve been a part of teams before where we have won. Also been a part of, unfortunately, this Presidents Cup when we lost 21 years ago, and so to come here and to do it in this fashion, to do it with this team, in particular, it was an honor for me as a player and even more of an honor to be their captain.
“Each individual team is unique and it’s different. It has its own organic feel to it, and these guys, we’ve all bonded together. We did it together. We were coming down, I mean, I think J.T. said it out there, was it 26 hours and change — 26 hours and change coming down here; it was a commitment to do this.
“We came out here, trying to get over the jet-lag, trying to figure this out, trying to figure this golf course out,
trying to get a feel for the pairings and how we’re going to do this, and we’re in it together, and all of a sudden
Kuch makes that putt and it’s finally over.”
“I had faith in all the 11 other players,” added Woods when referring to the order he sent out players today. “We love the lineup. We love how we set it up going into the singles. We all knew that we were all playing well on this golf course; in particular, with this lineup, we felt like we were going to get it done and we did it.”
Ernie Els appeared exhausted from the incredible role he played in bringing together an eclectic mix of nationalities and individuals to the point where they had the Americans on the ropes for a lengthy part of this week.
“I can only give them my love,” said the South African. “They tried so hard. They played so hard for each other and the team, and to buy into something new like I tried, I really have to take my hat off to every one of them.
“There are a lot of young, young players, a lot of players that the world has never seen or heard but you will see them a lot in the future. I have admiration for my guys and the caddies and the wives, it’s been fantastic.
“We’re getting closer. We’ve just got to keep it up. You know, our team is not as deep as the U.S. Team. All credit to the U.S. Team. They have an absolute stacked team. They have great champions, major champions. We’re building on that.”
Els was asked whether there was anything that might be changed to make the event even better and he created quite a talking point with his response.
“I know it’s a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, okay, but to really be able to do what you need to do, you need to
be almost a separate — you need to be away from the PGA TOUR.
“I mean, I love these guys, they work for the Tour and all that, but to make our own rules, to get our own choices, to do our own thing, I mean, it’s hard to explain. But we need to be separate.
“That’s a long, long process. I don’t think it will happen very soon. But you know, The Ryder Cup works because of the Europeans do their own thing and the U.S. do their own thing, you know, and it’s two groups that clash.
“We’re trying to do it under one umbrella, so under the TOUR’s office, under their roof, you know, and there’s a
lot of things that clash.”
It was a week that had it all. Tiger Woods in action and playing well, a contest that remained in doubt until late in the day and a stunning 95 year old golf course which remains relevant despite the modern game.
Powerful U.S. Side Again Claims Presidents Cup
The jubilant USA Team – photo Golfile
In the final analysis the outcome of the 2019 Presidents Cup came down to a weight of numbers, those numbers being the world ranking strength of the Americans compared to that of the Internationals who were so brave in their attempt to win the event for just the second occasion in the 13 times the event has been held since 1994.
The final result was 16 to 14 and perhaps, to a large extent, that margin represented just how close this Presidents Cup was, despite the disparity between the relative strengths of the teams.
Leading into today’s singles matches by a two-point margin, the Internationals needed only 5½ points of the 12 on offer today to take the encounter, but holding off the powerful Americans was never going to be an easy task and they would need to build some early momentum.
Working against them, however, was the presence of Tiger Woods who had intentionally put himself in the first match of the day in order that his current good form would lead to an early point for the Americans and set the tone for those behind on the golf course and that was exactly how it would work out.
It was thrust and counter thrust between Woods and Mexican, Abraham Ancer, however, especially over the opening nine holes and, although never behind in the match, Woods was still forced to fight hard for what was 3&2 victory.
When that first match had finished the score was 10-9 to the Internationals but with so many of the matches on the golf course favouring the Americans, the tide was turning in their favour and it was a case of whether the or not the Internationals could have any say in halting the increasing momentum being built by their opponents.
There were still enough points remaining in the matches on the golf course for there to be hope however and with half points from Adam Hadwin and Hideki Matsuyama and a full point from the impressive Sungjae Im it was 12 points each with another six points still up for grabs.
Patrick Cantlay added another point for the Americans when he defeated Joaquin Niemann 3&2 and the defending champions were ahead 13 – 12.
Wins by Xander Schauffele and Webb Simpson took the total to 15 for the Americans and at that point they became mathematically unbeatable although when Cameron Smith defeated Justin Thomas, who had been 3 up early in their match, the USA could not lose the encounter but for the Internationals the door remained open to at least share the honours.
Until, that is, Matt Kuchar holed a putt at the 17th to go 1 up with one to play and therefore the worst he could do was a half point in his match against Louis Oosthuizen and the result had been determined in favour of the Americans.
The final match on the golf course was between Marc Leishman and Rickie Fowler and that they shared honours was a fitting end to a close match and a week in which both teams felt like they could win or lose.
So, the Americans are successful again in this very statistically one-sided contest but this week the contest was far less one-sided than any stats could indicate.
To have kept the outcome in doubt until late into Sunday afternoon ensured there was interest for the huge crowds that flocked to Royal Melbourne and a worldwide audience to the very end and confirmed that the final result was perhaps not as predictable as the relative strengths of the suggested it might be.
Tiger Woods showed raw emotion in his post event interviews. Clearly this was a very proud moment and a special achievement in a career full of achievements.
“We won and we did it together,” said Woods highlighting his pleasure in being part of a team. “I’ve been a part of teams before where we have won. Also been a part of, unfortunately, this Presidents Cup when we lost 21 years ago, and so to come here and to do it in this fashion, to do it with this team, in particular, it was an honor for me as a player and even more of an honor to be their captain.
“Each individual team is unique and it’s different. It has its own organic feel to it, and these guys, we’ve all bonded together. We did it together. We were coming down, I mean, I think J.T. said it out there, was it 26 hours and change — 26 hours and change coming down here; it was a commitment to do this.
“We came out here, trying to get over the jet-lag, trying to figure this out, trying to figure this golf course out,
trying to get a feel for the pairings and how we’re going to do this, and we’re in it together, and all of a sudden
Kuch makes that putt and it’s finally over.”
“I had faith in all the 11 other players,” added Woods when referring to the order he sent out players today. “We love the lineup. We love how we set it up going into the singles. We all knew that we were all playing well on this golf course; in particular, with this lineup, we felt like we were going to get it done and we did it.”
Ernie Els appeared exhausted from the incredible role he played in bringing together an eclectic mix of nationalities and individuals to the point where they had the Americans on the ropes for a lengthy part of this week.
“I can only give them my love,” said the South African. “They tried so hard. They played so hard for each other and the team, and to buy into something new like I tried, I really have to take my hat off to every one of them.
“There are a lot of young, young players, a lot of players that the world has never seen or heard but you will see them a lot in the future. I have admiration for my guys and the caddies and the wives, it’s been fantastic.
“We’re getting closer. We’ve just got to keep it up. You know, our team is not as deep as the U.S. Team. All credit to the U.S. Team. They have an absolute stacked team. They have great champions, major champions. We’re building on that.”
Els was asked whether there was anything that might be changed to make the event even better and he created quite a talking point with his response.
“I know it’s a PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, okay, but to really be able to do what you need to do, you need to
be almost a separate — you need to be away from the PGA TOUR.
“I mean, I love these guys, they work for the Tour and all that, but to make our own rules, to get our own choices, to do our own thing, I mean, it’s hard to explain. But we need to be separate.
“That’s a long, long process. I don’t think it will happen very soon. But you know, The Ryder Cup works because of the Europeans do their own thing and the U.S. do their own thing, you know, and it’s two groups that clash.
“We’re trying to do it under one umbrella, so under the TOUR’s office, under their roof, you know, and there’s a
lot of things that clash.”
It was a week that had it all. Tiger Woods in action and playing well, a contest that remained in doubt until late in the day and a stunning 95 year old golf course which remains relevant despite the modern game.
Presidents Cup Outcome Delicately Poised
Ancer and Leishman face the press after their magnificent comeback to salvage a half point
The outcome of the 2019 Presidents Cup is delicately poised as the event enters tomorrow’s 12 singles matches following a dramatic third day at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club today.
The overall score is now 10 points to 8 in favour of the Internationals but, given the relative world ranking strength of the Americans, then that lead might well be considered the advantage the Internationals need to hold the Americans at bay.
Whatever the outcome, the final day could hardly contain a more mouth-watering prospect.
The chance for the Internationals to win the Presidents Cup for just the second time in the 13 occasions the event has been held to date and, both of them here at Royal Melbourne, shapes as one of the more thrilling days in Australian golf, at least for some time.
The crowds which have flocked to Royal Melbourne on the opening three days will be back tomorrow to potentially witness a special piece of golfing history, although lets not get ahead of ourselves.
At one stage on Friday, the Internationals held a projected 9 -1 lead but the Americans closed fast on day two to be just three points behind heading into the Saturday morning fourballs. Although they lost further ground on Saturday morning, the USA side clawed back some of the deficit in the afternoon foursomes although it might have been even better for them.
Just as the Americans had staged a magnificent comeback on Friday to keep their hopes alive, this afternoon it was the International’s turn to fight back late in the day after, at one stage, looking to be the victims of a whitewash.
The Americans appeared as if they might well draw level in overall points when they led all four of their afternoon encounters but magnificent recoveries by Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer, who were at one stage 5 down to Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, along with the pairing of Ben An and Joaquin Niemann to square their matches, after both pairings had been behind ensured the momentum is now evenly balanced.
“Well, it was a big last hour for us today,” said Leishman. “Certainly feel like it showed our intentions as a team. There’s a lot of heart sitting here next to me (referring to Abraham Ancer). That was huge for us, and also Ben and Joaquin Niemann digging deep and finding a halve.
“It goes a long, long way, the half-points. The score line is really good for us, considering what it was looking like with a couple hours to go, you know, but tomorrow is another day. We’re in the middle of a fight and we’re all going to be up for it.
“That’s probably as good as I’ve felt on a golf course, and I only halved the match. We’ve all won up here; we’ve won tournaments, but we don’t get chances to play with a teammate very often.”
Admittedly, the Internationals have the numerical advantage given they begin the final round two points to the good, but the Americans appear to be finding their feet after a slow start to the week and given their overall strength in terms of world ranking, then tomorrow shapes as a real battle to determine the fate of the 13th Presidents Cup.
The surprise of the afternoon was that Tiger Woods declared himself a non-starter and at one point it appeared to be a genius decision given the dominant position his team found themselves in midway through the afternoon foursomes. Whether his decision will play a role in the final outcome remains to be seen but it was one that surprised many, especially given the manner in which he had been playing.
Woods therefore had yet another opportunity to observe and there were some aspects of the crowd that he was not happy with. “There’s obviously some yelling. There’s people who have had a lot to drink and have gone over the top. Bipartisanship is part of playing in team matches, whether you’re home or on the road; it’s part of the deal. As long as, you know, the fans are respectful, and that’s all we ask is for them to be respectful, and hopefully they will be excited tomorrow and into the matches and be very respectful of all the players.
“Have people said things that have been over the top? Yes. I’ve heard it. I’ve been in the groups playing when it has happened, and I’ve been inside the ropes as a captain today witnessing it. As I said, all I ask for all the galleries is be excited but be respectful of the players, all 24 of us.”
Ernie Els supported Woods’ comments but he was also keen to defend what he felt had been an overall respectful Melbourne crowd.
“I just want to say one thing about the crowd. I’ve played in many Presidents Cups. I’ve played in the U.S. many times. If you look back at New York and how these players were treated in New York, this crowd is pretty quiet. I mean, we just get treated the same wherever you go as an away game, there’s some heckling going on and we all know that, and you prepare for that, and that’s just the way it goes.
“We shut up and we get on with things. That’s what we did in New York. So it’s part of the game. And I’m with Tiger; I absolutely, I’m against heckling. I’m against crowds being disrespectful to the players, but it happens. We as professionals, we move on.
“I think Tiger is one of the ultimate professionals that’s ever played the game. I’ve played with him where he’s been heckled in U.S. Opens and a lot of other places. He’s taken it on the chin and he’s moved forward. He’s been an example. Same has happened to me. It’s happened to a lot of players. But I must say, this Aussie crowd, okay, they got a little bit boisterous this afternoon with a couple of beers, but we move on.”
An incident during the course of the afternoon perhaps brought this conversation to a head. Patrick Reed began the week as a likely target of crowd but it would be his caddie who would be the victim to a large extent.
His caddie Kessler Karain was involved in an altercation with a spectator as both were out watching the matches in the afternoon. The altercation turned ugly as Karain defended his boss from verbal abuse involving Reed’s rules indiscretion in the Bahamas last week.
A statement was released late in the day by the PGA Tour indication that Karain will not return to the event for the Sunday singles.
Reed himself in what was a carefully prepared statement that he respected the Tour’s decision and that he and his team are focused on winning the Presidents Cup.
The momentum changes in this type of contest is a source of fascination in itself. Nothing is over until it is over and tomorrow there will likely be many swings and roundabouts before the winner is finally decided.
Tiger Woods’ Surprising Foursomes Omission
More observing for Woods this afternoon – click to expand
Despite being the standout on the opening two days and his team being under the gun in terms of being behind heading into Saturday afternoon’s foursomes, Tiger Woods has made a perhaps controversial decision to stand out in the match-ups this afternoon.
The Americans trail by 9 points to 5 and have a big task this afternoon if they are to get back within striking distance ahead of tomorrow’s singles
Woods, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson and Bryson De Chambeau are the four Americans to sit out the final match before tomorrow’s singles but it was Woods’s decision that caused a stir.
A question as to whether Woods was injured was answered with a prompt ‘no’ by Woods, the USA Captain suggesting it was in the best interests of the team.
“You have to do what’s best for the team, and I’m getting ready for the singles tomorrow,” said Woods.
He was asked whether his assistant captains had tried to talk him out of it and responded. “I tried to talk myself out of it, too but you know, it is what it is, and we’re going to go out there and try and get some points today and be ready for tomorrow.”
The explanation was hard to fathom given the precarious position his team is now in as it heads into the afternoon foursomes and perhaps highlights the conflict of interests that comes with being a player/captain.
Adam Scott was in the last group out in this morning’s matches and will be first out in the afternoon when he again teams with Louis Oosthuizen as he did in his victory in yesterday’s foursomes.
Captain Els said he was determined he wanted to follow a formula when explaining the decision.
“It’s our strategy. The way they (the Americans) put their pairing out, we felt that that was the best pairing to play the American side. I just spoke with the official and he said he’s going to have enough time to get ready for this afternoon, so he can have lunch and relax for 40 minutes.”
Leaderboard and Pairings
Americans’ Late Heroics Keep Presidents Cup Hopes Alive
Historically, Presidents Cup foursome matches have not been a happy hunting ground for previous International sides but today, at Royal Melbourne, they made a very important turn for the better.
They tied the alternate shot matches on day two 2½ to 2½ and now lead the overall contest at Royal Melbourne by 6½ to 3½ but the leader-board hardly tells the story of the day.
Leading 4 to 1 following the completion of yesterday’s fourball encounters, the Internationals didn’t extend their lead but importantly they did not allow the Americans to claw back any of the advantage they (The Internationals) had built on day one.
They would, however, lose a significant lead they had created during the course of play on day two, a setback which might yet play a huge role in the final outcome of the 13th Presidents Cup.
Once again, the Americans went ahead early, although this time it was Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar who were out first and took a 2-up advantage through 5 holes over the leading ranked International combination of Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen.
The lead would not last long however as, by the turn, the match was tied and with the Internationals winning three of the next five holes they were two up and eventually took out the match 3&2.
It was not long before the leader-board was awash with yellow, the Internationals leading in all five matches including the one that had already been settled and it was appearing as if the ‘home’ side might well be on their way to an unassailable lead .
Tournament golf, whether it be the individual or team variety, works in strange ways, however, and slowly but surely Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay overcame the deficit with wins at two of their last four holes to win their match against Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann at the last, Cantlay holing from 15 feet at the 18th for the last gasp win.
Tiger Woods had not been behind in this encounter in any stage in his first 26 holes but he and Justin Thomas went down for the first time at the 8th hole after they had established an early lead. They, too, would birdie two holes late in their round however to defeat Byeong Hun An and Hideki Matsuyama with a stunning birdie at the last.
Thomas holed from 18 feet to win the match and, while he will no doubt receive many of the accolades for his brilliant pressure putt, it was the superb approach by Tiger Woods from the right hand rough that should also be remembered as a key component of the come from behind victory.
“His iron play is unbelievable,” said Thomas. “That was kind of our game plan going into today is we both — iron play, I feel like is both of our strengths, and just kind of get it in the fairway. You know, I think we were — I mean, at least 4-under, something like that.
“We played really well to be going to 18 to try to win but that’s why I was upset off the tee — I obviously haven’t played the hole enough, and thought I hit it right of the universe and it was only three yards in the rough. Once I knew it was okay, and Tiger said going up there, I’ve got a great angle – it was a case of me sitting back and watch ing.
“I’ve watched him have moments like this as a kid and I was glad he was on my team hitting it and not going against me in a stroke-play event. I knew he was going to give me a good look there and he did.”
In the final match on the course, Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland were never ahead in their match against Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith and in fact with just three holes to play they were still 2 down. They would birdie the 16th and 17th however and Fowler was forced to hole a demanding 5-footer at the last for par to claim the a very important half point.
“I had to obviously trust my read and what I was seeing and what I was feeling,” said Fowler when asked about the putt. “You can’t make it go in. All you can do is hit a good putt. So literally all I was thinking about, because they were coming down — from that side of the green, as well, it’s very fast. Luckily I’m not having to worry about if there’s a putt coming back. It’s make or miss.”
The Americans had averted, therefore,what at one stage appeared to be a whitewash and instead of going into tomorrow’s matches with perhaps a nine point deficit they are now just 3 points behind and, very importantly, in terms of their chances over the weekend, their late rush today has given them the all-important momentum for what lies ahead.
For the Internationals it is crucial that they don’t dwell on what might have been. After all, if they had been told at the beginning of the week they would lead by three through the opening two days they might well have jumped at the opportunity.
“You know, to be three points ahead after two sessions, one of which is foursomes, and we have struggled with it at all the Presidents Cups that me and Louis have been involved with, yeah, for sure,” said Marc Leishman when asked that very question.
“I mean, any lead against them is good, but a three-point lead is even better. But there’s still a lot of points to play for. You know, we need to keep doing what we’re doing and keep improving because we know their jet-lag is going to start wearing off, and I’m sure they will start firing up. We need to be ready for it.”
Tiger Woods has decided to take at least tomorrow morning’s fourball off, recognising the potential danger of playing all five matches despite how well he is playing.
“Yeah, that was kind of the game plan,” said the USA captain. “It would be hard for me to go all the sessions. I’ve been fortunate enough to go out there with J.T. and we’ve gotten two points. J.T. played great and Rickie played awesome this afternoon. They have been looking forward to playing with one another. They have had success before and we will send them back out.”
So the weekend is shaping as a real battle between the two sides. The Internationals have a lead that is significant but whether it is enough to hold off an improving US side remains to be seen.
For the huge crowds predicted for the weekend the final 36 holes of this thus far intriguing contest might well get even more so.
Bring it on.
Saturday Match Ups
Australians Gain Limited Status For 2020 Japan Tour
Andrew Evans – file photo
One or two Australian players have gained at least limited status for the 2020 Japan Tour and, while none will have guaranteed starts for early season events, they have the opportunity to build on what they earned through the 108 holes of qualifying that was completed earlier this week.
A re-rank in July might help their cause provided they played well in events prior to then, the Japan Tour beginning its schedule in mid-April.
Andrew Evans and Matthew Millar both tied for 29th at 14 under par and although a massive 21 shots behind the medallist Min-Gyu Cho of Korea, they have done enough to gain at least some access to early season events.
Typically, the leading 20 players are guaranteed a full schedule of starts but beyond that the number of starts is based on their finishing position at the Tour School.
Evans has played the secondary tour in Japan for much of the past two seasons so while he will not have full status for the main tour in 2020 he will have enough to gain some starts.
Millar finished runner-up on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit in 2018 and has been somewhat resurgent in his career since returning to competitive golf from a coaching career in Canberra in 2015.
New South Wales’ Callan O’Reilly finished in 33rd place, Adam Burdett 52nd and Steve Jeffress 65th. Burdett and Jeffress in particular will struggle to gain many, if any starts, on the main tour next season.
http://www.jgto-qt.jp/upload_files/20191210154351.pdf
Internationals Claim Surprise lead at Royal Melbourne
Despite his personal best endeavours, Tiger Woods’ US team trails after day one – photo David Tease
The crowds were lining up well ahead of the gates opening on day one of the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, long lines awaiting security screening some two hours ahead of the opening tee shots being hit at 9.32 Melbourne time.
The wait would be worthwhile – for the majority of the fans that is. The International Team, perhaps surprisingly, taking the lead in the opening round of fourball matches and establishing a very important early cushion of 4 points to 1 as the event heads into tomorrow’s foursome encounters.
With 25 points still up for grabs over the next three days, however, nothing is being taken for granted by either side although there is little doubt the International side are excited about leading this event as much as they are after day one.
Not that things started that way on a cool, breezy Melbourne morning. Tiger Woods, paired with Justin Thomas in the opening group out, went 1 up at the first with a birdie at the short par 4 and the US pairing never looked back. Their opponents, Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann, threatened to fight back on occasions but the Americans would eventually win 4&3 and the first point had gone to the holders.
Thomas was quick to admit that he played very little role in the victory, giving all the credit to Woods who was responsible for seven of the nine holes won by his side.
“Tiger was working so well between the two of us today,” said Thomas. “He played great. I mean, I just didn’t really take advantage of the opportunities, but that’s what you have a partner for. It was awesome. It’s nice knowing when I step up on a par 3 or a par 4 that I feel free just because I know he’s playing well, and he did.
“He played great today. It’s no coincidence why we won. He really carried me out there, and you know, it was a tough day out there, and to have as many birdie putts as he had was the reason we won the match.”
The Internationals, however, were not about to lie down. Behind Woods and Thomas, the balance of the Internationals were more than holding their own and in fact when Louis Oosthuizen and Abraham Ancer claimed the next available point, they had drawn level at 1 all.
Oosthuizen could not sing Ancer’s praises enough. “My man just made everything. He hit it good. He hit fairways, greens, and it’s all on him today. It was unreal.”
Ancer was playing his first Presidents Cup and he could not have started his international career in a better way but he paid credit to Oosthuizen and his calming influence. “It’s so much fun, truly a pleasure playing with Louis.
“He made it feel easy out here, which is not easy. It’s a very tough golf course. We had a lot of fun. We had a plan and I think we kept to our plan really well and I felt good out there, which gave me a lot of confidence and I made some putts.”
On the golf course the remaining matches were stacked in favour of the Internationals and although the result of two of the three matches was not determined until the 18th the overall score reflected a day where the Internationals surprised most with their dominant performance.
Late inclusion in the team on the withdrawal of Jason Day, Ben An, teamed with Adam Scott and they were never behind in their match against Bryson De Chambeau and Tony Finau, eventually winning 2&1 while Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan and Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im won their matches at the final hole.
As to what this means in the days ahead remains to be seen especially given that 25 points still remain available to either team. The Internationals’ record in foursome matches at Presidents Cup in recent times is not good an tomorrow might well play a key role in their chances of taking the Cup for just the second occasion.
An hour after the completion of play, both captains announced their line-ups for tomorrow. Not surprisingly, Woods will again team with Justin Thomas but he has, however, retained two of his losing pairings of today.
For Els, it appears he is continuing to stick with a specific game plan despite none of his winning pairings combining on day two. His team does appear to be playing like a well drilled unit thus far but he is only too aware of just how far there is still to go.
“You know, it’s just getting the guys to play together like we did in practice, and just getting prepared with the golf course,” said the South African.
“You know, the team spirit was really good this time. We had many meetings through the year and so forth and so forth, but I mean, hey, we’ve played one session. We’ve got four more to go. We’ve got foursomes tomorrow. We’ll be focusing on that tomorrow, and we’ll take it from there.
Ernie Els working with his assistant captains to determine the match-ups for tomorrow
Long Wait Over For Presidents Cup Return
Photo: Pre event promotion on the banks of the Yarra – PGA Tour
Australia has been waiting eight years for the return of the Presidents Cup to its shores and if the pent-up interest in this week’s event is anything to go by then, irrespective of the result on Sunday, Royal Melbourne is set to be at bursting point this week.
Royal Melbourne is the scene of the only victory by the Internationals although that was 21 years ago at a time when the world of professional golf was somewhat different than is the case now. The changing nature of the professional game has changed since 1998, the Americans now much more adept at playing on a wider range of golf courses and they will start the hot favourites to retain the Cup.
The Americans not only have history on their side, having won the event outright on 10 of the 12 previous stagings of the event, but their relative strength in terms of world rankings adds further to their likelihood of taking the title.
Of the 12 players representing the US, all but two are inside the top twenty in the world ranking and their highest ranked player is Matt Kuchar at 24 in the world
The Internationals, however, have only two (Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama) inside the world’s top twenty, the balance of their team stretching out to the world number 64 Li Hao Tong.
Not that this ranking disparity is unique to this year’s Presidents Cup, the contrast in the respective ‘on paper’ strength of the field always having been the case although perhaps more so in 2019 and in many of the other years the event has been held.
Admittedly, the event is being played on a venue that was the scene of such a dramatic victory by the Internationals led by Peter Thomson in 1998 but there is little doubting the Americans, for whatever reason were asleep that year.
The greater preparedness of the Americans to be exposed to golf internationally in the years since ensures that they have a greater understanding and experience of the style of golf they will face this week.
Also working in the favour of the Americans is that they will field just five Presidents Cup rookies compared to eight for the Internationals. Importantly when assessing that statistic however is that two of the five Americans who make their Presidents Cup debut this week were part of the US side at the Ryder Cup last year so have already been exposed at this style of event.
The American’s preparation has been disrupted to some extent by the withdrawal of world number one Brooks Koepka but the Internationals suffered a similar blow when Jason Day was forced from the event with back injury.
The odds therefore are stacked heavily in the favour of the Americans who start the event as $1.35 favourites to take the title compared to the $3.65 generally available for the Internationals and $14 for the tie.
For the sake of the ongoing future of the event however it is important that the Internationals at least make a race of things. Admittedly the Ryder Cup took more than 50 years before it became a genuine contest but that happened when the Great Britain and UK side became the European side with the inclusion of players from Continental Europe.
The Internationals will not have such luxury and must therefore step up to the plate with a performance this week which at least makes this a contest for as long as possible.
While many of the fans who will flock to Royal Melbourne this week would dearly love a shock victory by the Internationals, that they are getting the opportunity to see twelve of the world’s top twenty at the one venue is a rare opportunity for Australian golf fans and that alone might well make this week one of their most memorable golfing experiences.
Korn Ferry Tour Cards Up For Grabs In Florida
Photo: New Zealand’s Nick Voke- gets a chance to advance his career – PGA Tour Series China
The holy grail of professional golf in terms of a place to play is undoubtedly the PGA Tour but in more recent years it has become increasingly difficult to access the riches of that tour.
This week, in Winter Garden in Florida, several Australasians get the chance to at least take the next step in the road to the PGA Tour when they tee it up at the Final Stage of Korn Ferry Tour qualifying.
150 golfers will play over 72 holes, the leading qualifier guaranteed full exemption for the PGA Tour’s secondary tour in 2020 while those finishing between 2nd and 10th are exempt for the first 12 events before the re-rank and those finishing between 11th and 40th exempt for the first 8 events at least.
New South Welshmen Brett Drewitt and Harrison Endycott will be joined by Victorian Ryan Ruffels, Queenslander Daniel Nisbet and New Zealander Nick Voke.
Drewitt has played the PGA Tour previously having gained access in 2017 but has been back on the Korn Ferry Tour (then known as the Web.Com Tour) and the Latino America Tour since. In 2019 he was unable to do enough to retain status for the Korn Ferry Tour and gets another opportunity after graduating from Stage Two.
Endycott and Ruffels have spent their year on the Latino America Tour where they did well enough to earn the right to at least attempt Korn Ferry Tour qualifying. Endycott advanced from the second stage to tee it up this week while Ruffels as a result of his efforts this season was exempt through to the Final Stage.
Daniel Nisbet has played in Asia and Australasia all year and played his way into the Final Stage via his performances in events this year.
It has already been a long road for many just to get to this stage and the chance for twelve months on the Korn Ferry Tour is just reward for what they have achieved to date.
There is still some way to go but they have at least created that opportunity.
Brad Kennedy defeated in playoff in Japan
Queenslander Brad Kennedy has been defeated in a playoff at the Japan Tour’s season ending Golf Nippon Series event in Tokyo, his equal best round of the day (65) carrying him into a playoff against Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa who birdied the 3rd extra hole to win his third event of the season.
For Kennedy it was his best finish of the year in Japan and moved him to 18th place on the finalised money list for the year with earnings of A$ equivalent $720,000.
Considering Kennedy had bogeyed his opening hole on the final day it was a bold bid to win the event outright but he still earns a cheque for A$200,000 and finishes the year off in style as he now heads back to the Gold Coast for this week’s Australian PGA Championship.
Brendan Jones was the next best of the Australians when he tied for 5th in the 30-man field and finished as the leading Australian once again on the Japan Tour money list with earnings of A$735,000.
Anthony Quayle was 14th this week and Matthew Griffin 19th.
Matt Jones holds on in final hole thriller at Australian Open
It is never over until it is over as the saying goes and in today’s final round of the Emirates Australian Open at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney, there was yet another great example of how that applies to tournament golf.
When Sydney’s Matt Jones arrived on the 17th green after holding a minimum two shot lead all day, he led by two over South African Louis Oosthuizen who was playing in the group ahead and who, after a magnificent hybrid approach, faced a 16 foot putt for eagle at the last. Oosthuizen putted first and converted to draw level but just a few moments later Jones holed a 35-footer at the 17th to go ahead again.
As he stood on the 18th tee, Jones was one ahead and, surely, he could negotiate the par 5 last safely and claim his second national open, four years after his first. First, however, he had to find the fairway, but he pulled his tee shot left into a bunker guarding the left side of the fairway and at that point even a lay-up became problematical.
Adding to the confusion however was that Jones had thought he held a two shot lead, an issue that might well have changed his strategy had he known better.
Thinking long and hard as to which was the best option in terms of where he wanted leave his shot from the bunker, his execution was poor, failing to clear the pine needles and from there it was a case of just where he would leave his 3rd shot in order to set up a pitch and putt par and the win.
“I was just hitting it out there to hit a 9-iron on the green and it caught a little pine cone and just dropped straight down. I actually didn’t even see the tree limb, it was not even in play.”
His 3rd shot was good but came up ten metres short of the green and some 40 meters from the hole.
Between he and the hole there was also a gentle ridge to negotiate but he hit the most exquisite of pitch and runs to 5 feet and although the putt scrambled in the left edge it was enough to secure the par and the win by one over the gallant Oosthuizen who had thrown out all stops to force a playoff.
“I was under the assumption that it was at worst, I had a two-shot lead, so I wasn’t playing for the green on my third shot. I was happy to hit it in the bunker, which I’m happy I didn’t, because that bunker shot wouldn’t have been as comfortable, but then I realised what I had to do and the chip wasn’t that difficult.
“It was landing down grain, so I could just get it over the bunker and let it release a little. It was a pretty easy putt. I made it more difficult than it had to be, but it went in.”
“It’s fantastic,” he added referring to what this means to him. “I’ve had a good start to the year (season) in the US. Something like this has been coming and it’s very special when it’s your national Open and to do it two times in a row is something that’s pretty unbelievable right now. But I’m going to build on this. If I can play as calm on the US Tour as I did these four days, I think I’ll have a very good year.”
Sharing third place were the impressive Japanese amateur, Takumi Kanaya, and Queensland based Aaron Pike who, as a result of their efforts, will join Jones as the recipients of starts at next year’s Open Championship at Royal St Georges.
The leading three players finishing inside the top ten this week and not otherwise exempt to the Open Championship qualified for those spots and with Oosthuizen already in the field, Jones, Kanaya and Pike can make plans for a trip to Kent in England in July.
Paul Casey, two-time champion Greg Chalmers, American Cameron Tringale, Taiwan’s Chun An Yu and New Zealand rookie Denzel Ieremia tied for 5th.
Jones’ record at the Australian Golf Club is almost unequalled having now on two Australian Opens and been runner-up in another at the venue where he played a lot of his early amateur golf.
For Jones, however, it was a joyous moment in front of his home fans and family and the family he has met and raised in the US. His three girls and American wife were there to greet him as he walked from the final green
In addition to winning his national open championship, the opportunity to play the Open Championship once again was a source of great pleasure.
“I’ve played in maybe five British Opens and it’s the one Major I would most like to win. To be able to do that and plan a schedule around that, will be fantastic. I played Royal St George’s back in, I think when Rory won, and I liked it, so I’m looking forward to getting back there.
“As you can see by the two other guys that qualified, for them to get into a British Open is fantastic. I love coming back here because it’s a great chance for me to do it. I’ve been lucky enough to do it a few times and I’ll be back next year. Hopefully I don’t have to do it next year, but I’ll be back here for it if I have to.”
For Aaron Pike the opportunity to play his first open Championship is not lost on him
“In all honesty, I know the spots are up for grabs and I knew going into the last day I was running top 10, so I had that idea in my head so to speak,” he would say before the finalisation of the three players.
“The 16th I saw a board and I realised that Louis would have been in because he’s won one and Matty Jones will definitely take one, because he’s not going to finish with five doubles or whatever it is and then I knew someone else there or thereabouts might get another one, so I’m going to have to put my foot down. I birdied 17, I tried to birdie 18 to keep going, but it’s the biggest Tournament in the world for me. It is. It’s as simple as that. It’ll be amazing to get in it.”
Kanaya has already played one Open Championship courtesy of a victory at the 2018 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship but the rising superstar of Japanese golf gets another chance.
Australian golf now focuses on next week’s Presidents Cup in Melbourne ahead of the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.
Open Championship qualifiers Aaron Pike, Matt Jones and Takumi Kanaya photo – R&A / Getty