On track for a remarkable clean sweep, the Internationals were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in Friday’s foursomes, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
With Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott setting the tone, it looked like the Presidents Cup was turning into an unpredictablely certain landslide win for the home team.
The two veteran team members combined combined to put Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar away 3&2. That point was quickly followed up by amother Australian getting into the act as Marc Leishman and impressive rookie Abraham Ancer breezed past Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson.
At this time, no American team led and in fact, all trailed as their putts and unimaginative shot-making failed to make a dent on Royal Melbourne.
Up step Tiger Woods. And Justin Thomas.
The only pair to get a US point on Thursday did enough to stay in the match against An/Matsuyama and then watched as JT slammed home a win on the last from 20 foot.
The roars worked as Patrick Cantlay did the same to edge home past Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann.
That left Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland trying to make it three 18 hole one-putt wins. They failed and settled for a half point against Smith/Im.
For most of Friday’s play it looked for all money like Ernie Els’ plan to change all of his opening day combinations for the foursomes matches was a master stroke. The US fight back has the jury out on a day when the destination of the cup became a lot less certain.
