The Presidents Cup might not be as legendary or prestigious as the Ryder Cup but given the dominance of Australian and South African golfers in past couple of years the 2015 edition promises to one of the most closely contested since the inaugural event in 1994.
Join The Roar as we follow the Day 1 action live from 12:00pm (AEDT).
The Internationals have only managed to defeat the US team once in the history of the Presidents Cup, back in 1998. Since then the best they have managed is a tie – the Americans have claimed victory in the past five.
The last Cup a couple of years ago finished with the US team winning by three points 18.5 to 15.5.
Teams
US Team – Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, Ricke Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Patrick reed, Matt Kuchar, Chris Kirk, JB Holmes, Billy Haas, Phil Mickelson
The US team has a distinct advantage having five players currently ranked in the top ten players in the World (Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson).
Add to that the experience of Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar (both played over ten Presidents Cups) and you are looking at a truly formidable team.
International Team – Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama, Branden Grace, Marc Leishman, Anirban Lahiri, Charl Schwartzel, Thongchai Jaidee, Danny Lee, Steven Bowditch, An Byeong-hun
Jason Day is the only golfer for the Internationals that currently sits in the top ten, but the likes of Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama (Ranked 12, 13 and 14) are on the cusp.
Adding to this, the likes of Brendan Grace, Marc Leishman and Anirban Lahiri were all amongst the top ten finishers in Majors this year. They have shown they can compete with the top crop.
Tournament Format:
Day 1 and 2
5 Matches – Fourballs
5 Matches – Foursomes
Day 3
4 Matches – Fourballs
4 Matches – Foursomes
Day 4
12 Singles Matches
In total 30 matches will be played with 1 point for the win after 18 holes. If the match is square after 18 holes half points will be awarded.
The US team will be declared winners if it’s tie since they are the current holders of the President Cup.
The Dream Finish:
The whole world wants to see Jason Day and Jordan Spieth go head to head in match play on the last day. It would be one of the greatest finish if both of them were the last to tee off against each other with the Presidents Cup still undecided.
Prediction: US team should win by at least 3 matches.
gav
Guest
The day has finished with US team 8.5 and INT 7.5 Promises to be engrossing single match play tomorrow.
gav
Guest
Another birdie for Bae/Matsuyama pair they are -9 after 11 holes and lead by 6 with 7 to play.
gav
Guest
Bubba Watson a stunning tee shot on the par 3 13th. He backs it up with a birdie and the US team are Square in that match
gav
Guest
Cruical blunders by Lahiri and Scott - both bogey the 11th meaning the US team of Mickelson/Z.Johnson go 2 up. While Bae/Matsuyama are simply blowing Kirk/Walker off the paddock. They are 5 UP with 7 to play
gav
Guest
Another Birdie for Sangmoon Bae and INT are 4 up in that match after 9 Holes. That was Bae 4 straight birdie in a row.
gavj
Guest
Match 1 - INT 2 up (9) Match 2 - EVEN (9) Match 3 - INT 3 UP (8) match 4 - EVEN (7)
gavjoshi
Guest
Another stunning putt on the par 3 8th by Sangmoon Bae means in Match 3 INT are up by 3
gavjoshi
Guest
Oosthuzien/Grace are unattainable.They are now 2 UP in Match 1 While Day missed putt means Match 4 is now even.
gavjoshi
Guest
Match 1 - INT 1 up (9) Match 2 - US 1 UP (8) Match 3 - INT 2 UP (7) match 4 - INT 1 up (6)
gavjoshi
Guest
Sanmoon Bae cruical putt has given them a 2 shot lead in match while Adam Scott fine shot and Z.Johnson miss par means Scott/Lahiri are now only 1 behind.
gavjoshi
Guest
Sangmoon Bae playing some great golf -he sneaks in a birdie with the US certain for birdies Can't believe he was left out on the opening day.
gavjoshi
Guest
Four Balls this afternoon are well and truly underway. First pair just on the 10th. Holmes/Watson - Oosthuzien/Grace Mickelson/Z.Johnson - Scott/Lahiri Walker/Kirk v Bae/Matsuyama Reed/Speith v Day/Schwartzel Match 1 - INT 1 up (8) Match 2 - US 2 UP (7) Match 3 - INT 1 UP (6) match 4 - INT 1 up (5)
gav
Guest
Spieth has SUNK the cruical putt to win the match for the US. Johnson/Spieth have come back from been 3 down after 9 holes to win on the 18th. Remarkable by the US team US LEAD NOW after a morning foursomes on Day 3. Still 4 fourball matches to go. US 7.5 INT 6.5
gav
Guest
Johnson putt has missed and gone passed the hole, so it will be 7ft back up for Speith. Before then Day will have the putt from edge of the green. Very tough putt and leaves it short, so can Speith make the Putt.
gav
Guest
Day hits one out of the bunker and then Schwartzel is just of the green but it is a make able for Day. US team are on the green in 3 but Johnson has a long putt down hill.
gav
Guest
Apologies it was Spieth with the 2nd shot and he has lay up on the with the 2nd shot. Schwartzel has made a HUGE BLUNDER and has NOT been able to get it OUT.
gav
Guest
Another match has been HALVED. 3 of the 4 matches to be decided on the 18th hole. Johnson/Spieth v Day/Schwartzel on the par 5 18 now. Day has found the bunker with his tee shot and Speith is off to the right of the fairway. INT cant get on in 2 but can power hitter Johnson from abt 250 yards.
gav
Guest
Bill Haas now has to sink a birdie putt to win the match. It is just off the green 15ft away
gav
Guest
Spieth levels the match heading into the par 5 18th. Great comeback by Johnson/Spieth they are all square after trailing by 3 after 9.
gav
Guest
On the 17th Day misses a birdie by a whisker and it presents a golden chance for Speith to make it all sqaure heading into the 18th.