3 minute read
The International team has produced a sweep of their own to level the Presidents Cup, with the tie against the Americans now heading into the weekend at 5-5.
Adam Scott had warned his team was not done yet and, true to word, the Internationals rebounded on Friday to breathe new life into the Presidents Cup heading into the weekend.
A 5-0 hammering in fourballs on the opening day left the Internationals with a mountain to climb in their bid to snap a nine-year losing streak against the US.
But, buoyed by an army of vociferous fans in Montreal, they conquered Everest in foursomes to head to Saturday's two-session day of eight matches level at 5-5.
Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and South Korean Sungjae Im set the tone with a 7&6 thrashing of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in the opening match.
Canadian duo Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes also posted a big win, 6&5 over Wyndham Clark and Tony Finau.
Taylor Pendrith, one of three Canadian players who made the team as captain's picks, and Australian Scott posted a convincing 5&4 victory over Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala.
"To be paired up with Adam Scott, a legend in this competition, we did really well together. He putted great today," said Pendrith.
Scott, who earned his 22nd point in the Cup in his 11th consecutive appearance at the event, knew the contest wasn't over after day one.
"Incredible," said Scott. "Incredible day for us to come back and show everyone what this team is made of.
"We knew we were in a deep hole, but no one felt discouraged. There were signs of good golf out there yesterday, but we just didn't get it done, and we cleaned it up a little bit today.
"We were determined to do that, and the crowd is bringing the energy."
South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Australia's Jason Day did their bit with a 1-up win over Max Homa and Brian Harman, before the South Korean pair of Kim Si-woo and An Byeong-hun beat Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley by the same margin.
There was a moment late in the session where it looked like the Americans might get on the board, but then Day nearly holed a pitch at 18 to secure a point before Kim capped the sweep when he drained a 15-footer for par at the last.
Of his great wedge shot in, Day said: "I was really honestly just trying to picture the flight and just throwing my awareness as far as I possibly could out towards the target.
"I was trying to push it out as far as possible, think about the flight and where it was landing, and fortunate to hit a good shot there."
Day added the team spirit was amazing even after the disappointment of the opening day's result.
"We had a bit of a rough one yesterday, obviously getting swept in that. All credit to the whole team, credit to the young guys on the team. We were all singing on the bus. It was fantastic.
"Obviously we're pumped. Everyone is pumped."
There are 20 points available over Saturday and Sunday with a total of 15 1/2 needed to win outright.
with agencies
