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.
‘Under the Radar’ Greg Chalmers Excited Ahead of Aust PGA
Greg Chalmers with his 2014 trophy – photo Bruce Young
2011 and 2014 Australian PGA Champion Greg Chalmers is about to make just his second genuine attempt at tournament golf in the last eighteen months and if today’s press conference at RACV Royal Pines is anything to go by then he is certainly expecting more than was the case at the Australian Open just two weeks ago.
Chalmers has been kept from the game in that time by serious health issues and at his return at the Australian Open he produced a remarkable week to finish 5th after a horror start to the week.
“I’m actually really excited,” said Chalmers. “I’ve had 18 months off, had arthritis in my spine and every joint in my lumbar spine, tore a ligament in my spine. So right around ‑‑ took a while to get diagnosed correctly, but I hadn’t played seriously for 18 months.
“I did play last year down here, but that was more just to see after six months if I could play, and I couldn’t. So I got it fixed this year and I think I was 4 over after nine at the Australian Open.
“It was pretty much what I expected, a lot of rubbish and a lot of rust, but wiped it off quickly. Four under on the back nine and went on to finish tied fifth. I’ve got a lot of energy about me, about my golf right now, and I’m really looking forward. It’s been a great break. Been around my family and now I’m very keen to be playing and excited.”
Chalmers won at RACV Royal Pines in 2014 when the layout was in the middle of a full transformation, only half of the 18 holes completed when he defeated Adam Scott and Wade Ormsby in a playoff to win the event for the second time.
He has played since but today made reference to the fact that the golf course continues to improve and mature and he is liking what he sees of the golf course now compared to the early stages of its restoration.
He is also complimentary as to how the PGA Tour of Australasia is setting up golf courses in recent years and feels that will play a role on Royal Pines’ continued development as a tournament layout.
Chalmers has been working with former two-time Australian Masters Champion and Presidents Cup player, Brad Hughes, in recent times, Hughes beginning to build a reputation as a coach resurrecting careers including that of recent PGA Tour winner Brendon Todd who has won twice in his last three starts on the PGA Tour after not having won for five years and almost giving the game away.
“I went to Brad about two and a half years ago and I was still ‑‑ two or three years ago and I was struggling with my back, but I was struggling with my game more than anything else. Still trying to play even though my back wasn’t great.
“I said, look, I don’t have time to rebuild the ark, I have a shorter window here, can you help me with my ball‑striking without me taking years to get that done? He said absolutely, I’ve taken a look at what you’re doing. He said I think I can help you.
“The ball‑striking’s improved. Been at it for a while now with him. Pretty simple stuff but very effective, a lot of getting better use out of my feet and my groundwork, and then better position with my hands and path with the club through the ball. So, it’s led to better ball‑striking and that’s important for me. If I can strike it even marginally better with my short game, it’s going to see some good results, so I’m excited about the future.”
Because of his health issues, Chalmers get another chance on the PGA Tour in 2020 and is excited about the prospect of what lies ahead despite now being into the rundown to playing senior golf.
“I’ve got seven starts left on a medical and so I’m hoping to start that in late January. That’s my expectation right now, play my seven. And depending on when I finish, though, and how I play, I could get four or five more starts, you know, in Reno, for example, or Barbasol or John Deere.
“There’s some events that will pop up along the way so I could get 10 to 12 starts, which starting in January, you’re looking at maybe two starts a month, which wouldn’t be too bad for me after having 18 months off.
“Depending on how I go, I’m exempt into the Playoffs to get your card back on the Korn Ferry, so I’ve got those three playoff events placed on previous performance. That’s how my year frames out at the moment.”
Chalmers has been one of the more prolific winner of major titles in Australia in recent times with a Players Championship, two Australian Opens and two Australian PGA Championships to his name.
It might be a bit much to expect that to improve this week at this stage of his recovery but if he can replicate his last 63 holes at the Australian Golf Club two weeks ago then he is not without hope.
RACV Royal Pines Hosts 7th PGA Championship
Looking over 9th green to hotel in background – photo Bruce Young
The Australian PGA Championship is, this week, played for the 7th occasion at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, five of those being staged over the fully re-designed Graham Marsh layout.
When the event was brought south in 2013 from its former venue on the Sunshine Coast, where it had been since 2002, RACV began to put in place plans to redevelop the rather benign layout that had played host to many of the female game’s great players at the Australian Ladies Masters since 1992.
It was considered a pleasant resort course at the time but while the original designer had met the brief in terms of creating a golf course geared towards play for golfing tourists, it needed a revamp if it was to challenge the sort of fields that the Australian PGA envisaged would play the event over the ensuing years.
The upgrade was also becoming necessary due to the changing nature of the game since the course’s opening all those years ago, equipment changes also forcing the requirement for strengthening of the golf course.
The new layout would also appeal a lot more aesthetically than had been the case and, very importantly for the commercial viability of the golf course, it would be better engineered to move surface water in a more efficient manner, thus avoiding some of the down-time heavy rains had created previously.
In 2013, therefore, Graham Marsh, a former winner of the Australian PGA Championship and one of Australia’s best players over a thirty-year period, was appointed to make the changes which were to be undertaken in two six-month periods in 2014 and 2015.
Logistically, it was one of Marsh’s most demanding of the many design projects in which he had been involved, given the time constraints which his design company, Graham Marsh Golf Design, was required to work under and the delicate, environmental issues the site, situated in the Merrimac floodplain, presented.
In 2014 the event was played with half the course completed and in 2015 it was played for the first time as a fully revamped venue.
Now, after four years and after a shaky start as it began the maturing process, the new layout has been increasingly accepted as a fine test for a tournament of this nature and importantly for its owners, RACV, it has enticed not only an increasing number of golf tourists, it has become a highly popular club course attracting members from other clubs and many of the Gold Coast’s best amateurs to become members of RACV Royal Pines.
It has, therefore, met the brief set out by RACV back in 2013.
The history of the event at RACV Royal Pines to date has seen some outstanding contests, Adam Scott winning the inaugural staging of the event at the venue in 2013 when overcoming a weather delay during the middle of the final round to defeat Rickie Fowler by four shots.
Adam Scott 2013
Greg Chalmers claimed his second Australian PGA Championship in 2014 when defeating Scott and South Australian, Wade Ormsby, in a playoff which saw Ormsby defeated at the first hole before it took Chalmers and Scott another six holes to break the deadlock.
Greg Chalmers
Another playoff was required in 2015 when the fully redesigned layout was played for the first time, Victoria’s Nathan Holman edging out South African Dylan Frittelli and American Harold Varner 111 to win and earn European Tour status in the process, the event having joined forces with the European Tour for the first time that year.
Nathan Holman
In 2016 Harold Varner 111 atoned for his playoff loss the previous year when he defeated Queenslander, Andrew Dodt, by two shots before another local, Cameron Smith, won the first of two consecutive victories when, in the event’s third playoff in four years, he defeated Jordan Zunic at the second extra hole.
Harold Varner 111
Smith would win again when he held off Marc Leishman in 2018 and so the young Presidents Cup player, who defeated Justin Thomas in the singles at Royal Melbourne just last Sunday, gets the chance to win the event for the third consecutive occasion.
Cameron Smith
The field for the 2019 event is headlined by the leading world ranked player in the field, Adam Scott, who is chasing his first victory anywhere in more than three years. Scott has however been very consistent in 2019 improving his world-ranking from 41st to 18th since this time last year despite his lack of winning success.
His most recent form has not been great having missed the cut at the Australian Open two weeks ago and going down to Xander Schauffele in last week’s singles at the Presidents Cup. It had, admittedly, been a month since he played prior to the Australian but provided he is not overly fatigued from a demanding week at Royal Melbourne, he should do well.
Cameron Smith clearly has a love affair with RACV Royal Pines and the event and venue has one for him also. A very popular figure, especially amongst the many who will travel down the M1 from Brisbane to see him play this week, Smith is looking to add his name to a very select group in Australian golfing history.
Several players have won more than three Australian PGA Championships but only Dan Soutar in the very first three Australian PGA Championships has won three in a row and so Smith can join one of Australia’s legendary figures in doing so. He will be buoyed by his impressive Presidents Cup debut and he will be a tough man to beat once again.
The Australian PGA has made a very good move in attracting a young man destined for big things in the game, Cameron Champ. Champ has just completed his first full season on the PGA Tour and has commenced his second season. He has already won twice in that time but, not only is he a proven winner, he is the longest hitter on the PGA Tour and as such will attract tremendous interest.
He will have been brought here for a considerably lower fee than many of his contemporaries would have commanded given his relative newness, but his powerful game provides a real point of difference compared to many of the mid-level players brought to the event in the past and will offer real appeal to the crowds.
Stewart Cink is in the field, the 2009 Open Champion and six time PGA Tour winner not at the peak of his game at present but an opportunity to see a player with his record will be taken up by many this week.
Greg Chalmers has already won around RACV Royal Pines and in what was his first appearance anywhere for twelve months at the recent Australian Open he finished a very impressive 5th. Chalmers has overcome a debilitating back injury with radical treatment and if his showing at the Australian Golf Club is anything to go by then he might improve even further.
Added to that list are the very impressive and ever improving, Jason Scrivener, the current leader of the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, Ryan Fox, exciting young prospect, Min Woo Lee, Japan Tour player Mikumu Horikawa, one of the leading players in Japan this year, and of course a host of young emerging Australasian talents.
The Australian PGA Championship therefore carries plenty of interest. Can Cameron Smith join Dan Soutar in making it three in a row, can Adam Scott win his second Australian PGA Championship, can the powerhouse Cameron Champ tame the Royal Pines layout, can Ryan Fox win the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit or will it be an relative unknown who will step up to the plate and win and, in the process, leapfrog their way onto the European Tour?
All will be revealed over the next few days and by Sunday someone will have earned themselves a very nice Xmas present, three days ahead of Santa’s arrival.
Ruffels and Drewitt Earn Korn Ferry Tour Status
Ryan Ruffels – file photo
Victorian, Ryan Ruffels, and New South Welshman, Brett Drewitt, have gained Korn Ferry Tour status for 2020 following the completion of qualifying in Florida this morning.
Ruffels finished in 21st place and Drewitt 27th, the leading 40 players exempt into the first eight events on the tour before the first re-rank.
Ruffels, who has been playing the Latino America Tour in recent times, will now get the chance to display his considerable skill at this higher level while Drewitt, who has been playing the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019, gets the chance to again bid for the right to return to the PGA Tour where he has played previously.
The leading 25 players on the money list at season’s end on the Korn Ferry Tour will advance to the 2021 PGA Tour and will be joined by the leading 25 players form the Korn Ferry Tour Final series.
The news was not so good for Sydney’s Harrison Endycott who despite two late birdies in his final round missed out on being inside the top 40 by just one shot.
New Zealander Nick Voke was 53rd and Queenslander Daniel Nisbet was forced to withdraw after just 45 holes.
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.