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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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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