Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Golf Events from the Weekend 6th October 2013



Well it was another awesome weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. This week the USPGA Tour had its final event of the 2013 season. It was hosting the tenth playing of the Presidents Cup Matches between the Team International and the Team USA. This year it was being played on the Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio. There was no prize money on offer just the honour of winning the Presidents Cup and representing your country. Team USA were the defending Champions and were keen to put their name on the cup again.

Team USA was Captained by Fred Couples (USA) and his Captain’s Assistants were Jay Haas (USA) and Davis Love III (USA). The ten members of the Team USA who qualified automatically in order from first to tenth were: Tiger Woods (USA), Brandt Snedeker (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA), Jason Dufner (USA), Keegan Bradley (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Bill Haas (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA) and Zach Johnson (USA). Team USA’s two Captains picks were: Webb Simpson (USA) and Jordan Spieth (USA).

Team International was captained by Nick Price (Zimbabwe) and his Captain’s Assistants were Shigeki Maruyama (Japan), Mark McNulty (Zimbabwe) and Tony Johnstone (Zimbabwe). The ten members of the Team International who qualified automatically in order from first to tenth were: Adam Scott (Australia), Jason Day (Australia), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Ernie Els (RSA), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Branden Grace (RSA), Graham DeLaet (Canada), Richard Sterne (RSA) and Angel Cabrera (Argentina). Team Internationals two Captains picks were: Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe) and Marc Leishman (Australia).

The Open Ceremony was on the evening of Wednesday 2nd October in Columbus, Ohio. Then the tenth Presidents Cup Matches between the Team International and the Team USA got under way early afternoon on Thursday 3rd October. Day One Four Ball matches were played in light winds and bright sun shine with an hour and a half rain delay mid afternoon. Match one in the Day One Four balls was between Jason Day (Australia) and Graham DeLaet (Canada), for Team International vs. Hunter Mahan (USA) and Brandt Snedeker (USA), for Team U.S.A. In a very close fought match that Team International were down early in the match but they struck back brilliantly and Jason Day (Australia) for Team International birdied the par four, 18th hole to win the match for Team International, one up.

Match Two was between Bill Haas (USA) and Webb Simpson (USA), for Team U.S.A vs. Adam Scott (Australia) and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), for Team International. This match was another very close one. The International Team came to the 18th hole one down but Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) made a brilliant birdie three to square the match for Team International.

Match Three was between Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA), for Team International vs. Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA), for Team U.S.A. Team U.S.A was two up after seven holes but Team International staged a fight back and eventually won 2&1.

Keegan Bradley (USA) in action during the day one four-ball matches
 Match Four was between Steve Stricker (USA) and Jordan Spieth (USA), for Team U.S.A vs. Ernie Els (RSA) and Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe), for Team International. Team U.S.A were well in control of this match being two up with three holes to play. However Team International fought back to be one downplaying the par four, 18th hole. But Steve Stricker (USA) for Team U.S.A. made a brilliant sand save for par and won the match for Team U.S.A one up.

Match Five was between Angel Cabrera (Argentina) and Marc Leishman (Australia), for Team International vs. Matt Kuchar (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA), for Team U.S.A. Team U.S.A played some brilliant golf in this match and was just too good for Team International and easily won the match 5&4.

Match Six was between Jason Dufner (USA) and Zach Johnson (USA), for Team U.S.A. vs. Branden Grace (RSA) and Richard Sterne (RSA), for Team International. Team U.S.A stamped their mark on this match early with being four up after six holes. Team International fought back to be two down after ten holes. But Team U.S.A eventually won the match 5&3. Team U.S.A led 3.5 points to Team Internationals 2.5 points after the Day One Thursday Four Ball Matches.

So to the Day Two Friday Foursome Matches played on Friday 4th October. Day Two Foursomes Matches were played in much the same conditions as the previous day with some sun shine and heavy thunder storms that caused play to be suspended and the four matches had to be completed early on Saturday 5th October.

Match One was between Phil Mickelson (USA) - Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A  vs. Jason Day (Australia) - Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International and Team U.S.A were far too strong in this match with playing some excellent golf with recording one eagle and six birdies to eventually win the match 4&3.

Match Two was between Bill Haas (USA) - Hunter Mahan (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Ernie Els (RSA) - Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe) for Team International and Team International were too strong in this match and were eight under par when they won the match on the 15th green 4&3 and it included one eagle and six birdies.

Match Three was between Steve Stricker (USA) - Jordan Spieth (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Branden Grace (RSA) - Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International and Team U.S.A got off to a brilliant start with being four up after 12 holes. Team International fought back to be only two down with two holes to play. But Team U.S.A closed out the match to win 2&1.

Match Four was between Webb Simpson (USA) - Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) - Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International and Team U.S.A took the early advantage to be one up after four holes. Team International gained the advantage back and were two up after 12 holes. Team U.S.A won the next two holes to make the match all square with four holes to play. But Team International won two of the next three holes to close the match out 2&1 on the 17th green.

Match Five was between Tiger Woods (USA) - Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) - Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International and Team U.S.A were in control of this match from the very first hole, they went out in 30-6 to be two up after nine holes. They closed the match out on the par three, 16th hole to win 4&2, they were eighth under par when the match finished.
 
Lindsey Vonn (USA) who is Tiger Woods (USA) girl friend watches him playing during the Friday Foursomes
Match Six was between Jason Dufner (USA) -Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Adam Scott (Australia) - Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) for Team International and Team International were firmly in control of this match with being five up after 12 holes but Team U.S.A fought back with three straight birdies on the next three holes for three straight wins and reduced the margin to two down with three holes to play. Team International closed out the match on the par four, 17th green to win 2&1. Team U.S.A led 6.5 points to Team Internationals 5.5 points after the Day Two Friday Foursomes Matches.

So to the Day Three Saturday Fourball Matches played on Saturday Morning 5th October. Day Three Fourball Matches were played in much the same conditions as the previous day with some sun shine and heavy thunder storms that caused play to be suspended for over two hours.

Match one was between Phil Mickelson (USA) - Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Ernie Els (RSA) - Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe) for Team International and the match was all square after nine holes. Team U.S.A came good on the back nine and were dormie three up after 15 holes. Team U.S.A eventually won the match on the par four, 17th hole 2&1.

Match two was between Steve Stricker (USA) - Jordan Spieth (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Jason Day (Australia) - Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International and this was a very evenly fought match with the match still all square after 15 holes. Team International came good with winning two of the last three holes to win the match two up.

Match three was between Bill Haas (USA) - Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) – Branden Grace (RSA) for Team International and Team U.S.A were two up after nine holes and they increased their lead to three up after ten holes. Team U.S.A won the match on the par five, 15th green 4&3.

Match four was between Hunter Mahan (USA) - Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) - Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International and Team U.S.A were one up after nine holes. The match ended up going the distance but Team U.S.A prevailed two up.

Match five was between Tiger Woods (USA) - Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Adam Scott (Australia) - Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) for Team International and the match was all square after nine holes. The match was still all square after 13 holes. Team U.S.A won the next two holes and eventually won the match one up. Team U.S.A led 10.5 points to Team Internationals 6.5 points after the Day three Saturday Four ball matches.

So to the Day Three Saturday Foursomes Matches played on Saturday Afternoon 5th October. Day Three Foursomes Matches were played in much the same conditions as the previous day with some sun shine and the  heavy thunder storms forecast never eventuated but played was suspended due to darkness just after 7pm local time and four matches would have to be completed on Sunday Morning.

Match one was between Phil Mickelson (USA) - Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Jason Day (Australia) - Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International and when played was suspended due to darkness after 13 holes the match was all square. Play resumed at 7:30am on Sunday Morning and Team U.S.A made a birdie on the short par four, 14th hole and went to one up with four holes to play. Team International won the par three, 16th hole with a par three and the match was all square again. They halved the final two holes so the match finished all square.

Match two was between Jason Dufner (USA) - Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Richard Sterne (RSA) - Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International and Team International were two up after seven holes. But Team U.S.A came storming back playing the next eight holes in six under par and they won six of those holes to win the match 4&3. They won the match with Zach Johnson (USA) holing out for Team U.S.A’s third shot for an eagle three on the par five, 15th hole.

Match three was between Steve Stricker (USA) – Bill Haas (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Adam Scott (Australia) - Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) for Team International and Team U.S.A was two up after ten holes when played was suspended due to darkness. When played resumed at 7:30am on Sunday Morning and Team U.S.A won holes 12 and 14 to go to four up and eventually won the match 4&3 on the par five, 15th hole.

Match four was between Tiger Woods (USA) - Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Ernie Els (RSA) - Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe) for Team International and Team International was two up after nine holes when played was suspended due to darkness. When played resumed at 7:30am on Sunday Morning and Team U.S.A won the par four, tenth hole to get back to one down. Team International won holes 12 and 14 to go to three up with four holes to play. Team U.S.A then won holes 15 and 16 with an eagle and a birdie to get back to one down with two holes to play. They halve the final two holes so Team International won the match one up.

Match five was between Webb Simpson (USA) - Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) - Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International and Team International were three up after 12 holes when played was suspended due to darkness. When played resumed at 7:30am on Sunday Morning and Team U.S.A came back really strongly winning holes 13, 14, 15 and 17 to go one up with one hole to play. They halved the par four, 18th hole in pars and Team U.S.A won the match one up. Team U.S.A led 14 points to Team Internationals 8 points after the Day three Saturday afternoon Foursomes matches. Heading into the 12 Sunday Singles Matches Team U.S.A needed 4 points to retain the Presidents Cup and Team International needed 10 points to win the Presidents Cup.

So to the 12 Sunday Singles Matches played on Sunday 6th October. And they were played in overcast conditions with threatening Thunder Storms forecast and the Sunday Singles Matches were moved forward and started 9am Ohio time. Each player got to chat with the most successful Golfer in Major Championship Golf and the designer and owner of this Famous Course at Muirfield Village GC who was Jack Nicklaus (USA) before they teed off in their singles match.
 
Jack Nicklaus (USA) greeted all the players as they teed off in the Sunday Singles Matches
Match one was between Ernie Els (RSA) for Team International who defeated Steve Stricker (U.S.A) for Team U.S.A. Ernie Els (RSA) for Team International picked up his third win of the week. Ernie Els (RSA) for Team International led for 10 holes compared to just two for Steve Stricker (USA) for Team U.S.A but this one went down to the wire. After Steve Stricker (USA) for Team U.S.A squared the match with a birdie on the par-4, 13th hole, Ernie Els (RSA) for Team International took the lead for good with a birdie two on the par-3 16th. "It was really a fun match, obviously more fun for me than for Steve but a great game," Ernie Els (RSA) for Team International said. Ernie Els (RSA) for Team International eventually won the match one up. Team International were now on 9 points to Team U.S.A on 14 points.

Match Two was between Hunter Mahan (USA) for Team U.S.A who defeated Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) for Team International. After going 1 down after three holes, Hunter Mahan (USA) for Team U.S.A won four of five holes starting at No. 6 and never looked back. Hunter Mahan (USA) for Team U.S.A was 4 under for the 16 holes. Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) for Team International, the 21-year-old rookie from Japan, never got closer than 2 down the rest of the way. "I didn't know about Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) for Team International, except he's a great player and great competitor," Hunter Mahan (USA) for Team USA said. "Everyone has said he's been hitting it unbelievable this week, so I feel very pleased to do what I did today." Hunter Mahan (USA) for Team U.S.A eventually won the match 3&2. Team International were still on 9 points but Team U.S.A were now on 15 points.
 
Hunter Mahan (USA) on the left with his wife Kandi on right and their very young daughther, Zoe Olivia sits in the Presidents Cup to celebrate Team USA's win!!
Match Three was between Jason Dufner (USA) for Team U.S.A who defeated Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe) for Team International. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team U.S.A won the first hole with a birdie, one of six he would make in this match, and never trailed. The American's iron play was phenomenal -- he stuck it to 3 feet at the eighth hole and 5 feet at No. 10. But the best was the approach to No. 13 where Jason Dufner (USA) for team U.S.A left himself a tap-in of 17 inches. He eventually won the match 4&3. Team International were still on 9 points but Team U.S.A were now on 16 points.

Match four was between Jason Day (Australia) for Team International who defeated Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team U.S.A. Jason Day (Australia) for Team International, who is a Muirfield Village member, led the entire match. The Aussie took control at the onset when he won four of the first six holes with three birdies and a par. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team U.S.A did win the seventh and ninth with birdies, but Jason Day (Australia) for Team International put the match out of reach with wins at Number 12, 13 and 14 holes. "It was good to finish off with a bang like that," Jason Day (Australia) for Team International said. "I've been playing great golf the whole week, and I just wish it was a little bit closer." Jason Day (Australia) for Team International won the match 6&4. Team International were now on 10 points to Team U.S.A on 16 points.

Match five was between Jordan Spieth (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International. This was an extremely close match with margin of holes up never being more than one up for both players. They halved the first eight holes. Jordan Spieth (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par four, ninth hole with a birdie to make the turn at one up. Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International won the par four, tenth hole with a par and the match was all square again. They halved the par five, eleven hole in birdie fours. Jordan Spieth (USA) for Team U.S.A made a fine birdie two on the par four, 12th hole and went back to one up. Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International won the par four, 13th hole with a par four and the match was all square again. Jordan Spieth (USA) for team U.S.A made a solid par on the short par four, 14th hole to win the hole and he was back to one up again. Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International made a birdie four on the par five, 15th hole to get the match back to all square, then he won the par three, 16th hole with a par three to go to one up for the first time in the match.  Both players made solid pars on the par four, 17th hole so Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International was one up going to the final hole. After Jordan Spieth (USA) for Team U.S.A put his second shot close on the par four, 18th hole he really put the pressure on Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International as he had put his second shot in the left green side bunker. But Graham DeLaet (Canada) for Team International holed that bunker shot out for a birdie three and won the match one up. Team International were now on 11 points to Team U.S.A on 16 points.

Match six was between Bill Haas (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International. They halved the first four holes. Bill Haas (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par five, fifth hole to go one up. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International won the par four, sixth hole with a birdie three and the match was all square again. They halved the par five, seventh hole in par fives. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International won the par three, eighth hole with a birdie two and he was one up for the first time in the match. They halved the par four, ninth hole in pars so Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International was one up at the turn. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International won the par four, tenth hole with a birdie three and was now two up. They halved the par five, eleventh hole in pars. Bill Haas (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par three, 12th hole with a birdie two when he holed his very difficult bunker shot, so Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International was now only one up. They halved the 13 and 14 holes in pars, and Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International was still one up. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International birdied the par five, 15th hole to go two up with three holes to play. They halved the par three, 16th hole and par four, 17th hole in pars and that meant that Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International had won the match 2&1. Team International were now on 12 points to Team U.S.A on 16 points.

Match seven was between Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Branden Grace (RSA) for Team International. They halved the first two holes. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, third hole with a birdie three to go one up. They halved the fourth hole. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. got conceded the par five, fifth hole when Branden Grace (RSA) for Team International hit his second shot in the water and failed to get on the green for his fourth, so Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. went to two up. They halved the sixth hole. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par five, seventh hole with a birdie four to go three up. They halved the eighth hole. Branden Grace (RSA) for Team International made a birdie three on the par four, ninth hole so now Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was only two up after the front nine. They halved the tenth hole. Branden Grace (RSA) for Team International won the par five, eleven hole with a birdie four so now Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was now only one up with seven holes to play. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par three, 12th hole with a birdie two to go back to two up. Then Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, 13th hole with solid par to go back to three up in the match. They halved the 14th and 15th holes so Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was now three holes up with three to play. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. got conceded the par three, 16th hole when he put his ball on the green first and Branden Grace (RSA) for Team International teed off next and put his tee shot in the lake in front of the green. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the match 4&2. Team International were still on 12 points but Team U.S.A were now on 17 points and now only needed one point to retain the Presidents Cup.

Match eight was between Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International. They halved the first hole. Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, second hole with a birdie three to go one up. They halved holes three and four. Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par five, fifth hole with an eagle three to go to two up. They halved holes six and seven. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International won the par three, eighth hole with a birdie two and Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A. was now only one up. They halved holes nine, ten and eleven. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International won the par three, 12th hole with a birdie two and the match was back to all square. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International won the par four, 13th hole with a birdie three and he was now one up for the first time in the match. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team U.S.A won the short par four, 14th hole with birdie three and the match was all square again. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International won the par five, 15th hole with a birdie four and he was back to one up again. They halved the 16th and 17th holes and Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International was one up coming to the par four, 18th hole. Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A struck his second shot to within 15 feet below the flagstick on the green. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International hit a poor second shot that landed well out to the right hand side of the green in the rough. Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International chipped his third shot to the left hand pin placement attackingly and roll just off the green in the left fringe. Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team U.S.A. just missed his birdie putt and was conceded his par putt and that meant that Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International would need to hole his par putt from 20 feet off to fringe to win the match and he did just that. So Marc Leishman (Australia) for Team International won the match one up. Team International were now on 13 points to Team U.S.A on 17 points and still only needed one point to retain the Presidents Cup.

Match nine was between Tiger Woods (USA) for team U.S.A vs. Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International. The first six holes were all halved. Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International won the par five, seven hole with a birdie four and was one up. They halved the eight hole. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par four, ninth hole with a birdie three and the match was now all square after nine holes. They halved holes ten and eleven. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A was conceded the par three, 12th hole when Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International put his tee shot in the water to the right. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A. was now one up. Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International won the par four, 13th hole with a birdie three and the match was now all square. They halved the 14th and 15th hole. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par three, 16th hole with a par and went back to one up. They halved the par four, 17th hole, so Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A was one up with one hole to play. They both hit the par four, 18th hole in two shots. Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International putted for his birdie first from 50 feet. He hit a good putt that came to rest about three feet from the cup. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A now putted for his birdie from 35 feet. He knew if he two putted he would win the match and also retain the Presidents Cup for Team U.S.A because Team U.S.A would go to the winning margin of 18 points!! He struck a brilliant putt that came to rest about two feet from the cup and was immediately conceded the par putt by Richard Sterne (RSA) for Team International. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the match one up and Team U.S.A had retained the Presidents Cup!! It was the third consecutive Presidents Cup that Tiger Woods (USA) for Team U.S.A had won the match that had decided the final result of the Presidents Cup!! He beat Y.E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International 6&5 in 2009 at TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California, USA and in 2011 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia he beat Aaron Baddeley (Australia) for Team International 4&3. The Team U.S.A. Captain, Fred Couples (USA) came on to the 18th green to Celebrate the win with him as well as his team mates who had completed their matches already. Also his girl friend, Lindsey Vonn (USA) gave him a kiss to celebrate. Team International were still on 13 points to Team U.S.A who were now on 18 points and had retained the Presidents Cup for another two years.
 
Richard Sterne (RSA) on the left and Tiger Woods (USA) on the right shake hands as Tiger Woods (USA) wins the match that won the Presidents Cup for Team USA!!
Match ten was between Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International won the par four, first hole with a par to go one up. They halved holes two through seven. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par three, eighth hole with a par and the match was all square again. They halved the ninth hole so the match was still all square at the turn. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, tenth hole with a birdie three and went to one up. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International won the par five, eleventh hole with a birdie four and the match was all square again. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par three, 12th hole with a par and he went to one up again. They halved the 13th hole. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International then won three consecutive holes in a row by winning the par four, 14th hole with a bogey, the par five, 15th hole with a birdie and the par three, 16th hole with a par and suddenly he was two up. They both made birdie threes on the par four, 17th hole and that meant that Charl Schwartzel (RSA) for Team International had won the match 2&1. Team International now on 14 points to Team U.S.A who were still on 18 points and had retained the Presidents Cup for another two years.

Match eleven was between Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. vs. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) for Team International. They halved the first hole. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, second hole with a birdie to go one up. They halved the third and fourth holes. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was conceded the par five, fifth hole and was now two up. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) for Team International won the par four, sixth hole with a birdie three so Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was now only one up. They halved holes seven through ten so Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was still one up. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, eleventh hole with a birdie four and was back to two up again. They halved holes 12 and 13 so Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was still two up. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) for Team International won the par four, 14th hole with a par so Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A. was now only one up. They halved holes 15 through 17 so Webb Simpson (USA) for team U.S.A. was still one up with one hole remaining to be played. With Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) for Team International on the par four, 18th green in two shots and Webb Simpson (USA) for Team U.S.A had taken three shots to get to the green and his par was looking unlikely in a very sporting gesture he conceded the hole to Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) for Team International. So the match finished all square. Team International now on 14.5 points to Team U.S.A who were now on 18.5 points and had retained the Presidents Cup for another two years.

            Match twelve was between Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A vs. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International. They halved the first hole. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International won the par four, second hole with a birdie and was one up. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par four, third hole with a birdie and the match was all square again. They halved the fourth hole. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International won the par five, fifth hole with a par and he was one up again. They halved the sixth hole. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. won the par five, seventh hole with a birdie four and the par three, eight hole with a par and was now one up for the first time in the match. They halved the ninth hole so Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A was one up at the turn. They halved the tenth hole. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International won the par five, eleventh hole with a birdie four and the match was back to all square again. They halved the 12th hole. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A won the par four, 13th hole with a par and went back to one up. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International won a very eventful par four, 14th hole when he chipped in from off the green for his par and the match was all square again. They halved the 15th hole. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. hit his tee shot into three feet from the pin on the par three, 16th hole and when Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International missed his seven foot putt for par he conceded the hole to Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A and he was one up again. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International won the par four, 17th hole with a par and the match was all square heading down the last hole. With all the matches now completed except this one there was a huge crowd with all the team members and captains etc from both teams watching. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International was on the green in two shots about 40 feet from the pin. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. landed his ball in the rear bunker and completely out of character he took two shots to get out of the bunker with the commentators remarking that it is hard to play to high intensity when the Presidents Cup has already been won. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. nearly holed his second bunker shot and it left him a four footer for bogey. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International rolled his putt from just under 40 feet to three feet past the hole left a knee knocker for par. Everyone watching just thought that Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. would now concede the hole and match to Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International. But Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team U.S.A. putted his four footer and holed it for his bogey five. Then he displayed some awesome sportsmanship as he has done throughout his career and picked up the marker on Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International meaning he had conceded the hole and match to him. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) for Team International won the match one up. The final result of the Tenth Presidents Cup Matches was Team U.S.A 18.5 to Team International 15.5.

            Team U.S.A had won their eight Presidents Cup from the ten Presidents Cups that have been played since the first one in 1994 and they have also won the last five consecutive Presidents Cups!! All the Wives and Girl friends of the players were giving them hugs and kisses and also congratulating the International Team Members for giving Team U.S.A. such a good match. The Officials had to cancel the Closing Ceremony because the dangerous weather was fast approaching. So they had the presentation of the Presidents Cup in the Media Centre and the most successful Golfer in Major Championship Golf and the designer and owner of this Famous Course at Muirfield Village GC who was Jack Nicklaus (USA) who is now in his 74th year Presented the Presidents Cup to the Team U.S.A. Captain who was Fred Couples (USA) who had won his third straight Presidents Cup as Captain for Team U.S.A!! Then he shared the cup round giving all the players on Team U.S.A. a chance to hold it. Then there was a Team Photo.
 
Team USA along with the Captain, Vice Captains and Jack Nicklaus (USA) poses with the Presidents Cup they won!!
            The eleventh Presidents Cup will be played in two years time for the first time in an Asian Country. The 2015 Presidents Cup will played on the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, located in the Songdo International Business District (IBD), Incheon, South Korea. Let’s Hope Team International can win the Presidents Cup in two years time?

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup starts its 2013/14 season and the first event on schedule is the Frys.com Open and it is played on the CordeValle Golf Club, San Martin, California. It carries a prize purse of US $ 5,000,000 for the taking. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It is the first event where the top 50 graduates off the Web.com Tour for the 2013 season get their first starts on the USPGA Tour as full USPGA Tour Members. Danny Lee (NZL) will get a start because he was inside the top 50. It starts on Thursday 10th October and I will report back who won the trophy next week.  

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 651st week of his career in total is Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his tied for second position at The Barclays over a month ago with 12.84 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Adam Scott (Australia) who won his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament over five months ago and also won The Barclays over a month ago with 9.27 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Phil Mickelson (USA) who is fresh off his Open Championship win over a two months ago with 8.51 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who is fresh off winning the Tour Championship by Coca – Cola and also the 2013 FedEx Cup two weeks ago with 8.15 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Justin Rose (England) who is fresh off his maiden Major Championship win at the 113th US Open Championship over three months ago and also tying for second position at The Barclays over a month ago with 7.54 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 10th position at the Vana H Cup KBC Augusta on the Japan Golf Tour over a month ago is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the Thirtieth fifth straight week of his career. This week he slips two places and falls to 200th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.91 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember when it is breezy swing easy!!

Source: pgatour.com

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