Internationals dominate four-ball at Presidents Cup, lead after first day

Despite Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas earning the first point, the Internationals dominated the four-ball format at the 2019 Presidents Cup.

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After the first day of play in Australia at Royal Melbourne, it’s advantage Internationals.

Despite playing captain Tiger Woods and the Americans having the distinct advantage when it comes to talent, with ten of Team USA’s 12 players ranked inside the 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking, Ernie Els and his International squad hold a commanding 4-1 lead after Thursday’s (Wednesday night in the U.S.) four-ball matches.

“The golf course was very tough. The golf was excellent. I’m really proud of my team,” Els told Golf Channel soon after the conclusion to Day 1.

“We got a long way to go but this is an unbelievable start,” Els continued. “We know it’s a very tough side we’re playing.”

Woods and teammate Justin Thomas put the crucial first point on the board for Team USA, but it was all Internationals from then on.

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MEET THE TEAMS: Team USA | Internationals

Here’s a recap of Day 1 at the Presidents Cup:

Four-ball matches

Thomas-Woods (U.S.) def. Leishman-Niemann (Int.), 4 and 3 

Tiger Woods carried the match in the early goings, making a pair of birdies on the opening holes and then chipping in for birdie at the par 3 fifth hole. Leishman and Niemann kept in the fight and battled throughout the opening nine, ultimately making the turn 2 down to captain Woods and Thomas. The Americans never trailed and it was Woods who put the first point on the board for the U.S., earning a 4 and 3 victory.

Hadwin-Im (Int.) def. Schauffele-Cantlay (U.S.), 1 up

A 21-year-old Presidents Cup rookie, Sungjae Im heard the first roar of the day playing in the second group after holing-out for eagle on No. 1. The Internationals and Americans each held a 1 up lead on the front nine before making the turn tied. The match stayed all square until an Adam Hadwin par at the 16th turned the match in the Internationals favor.

Scott-An (Int.) def. DeChambeau-Finau (U.S.), 2 and 1

There wasn’t much to see in this match. Bryson DeChambeau struggled and Tony Finau didn’t have enough to keep up with Adam Scott and Byeong-Hun An, who led for 14 of the 17 holes en route to a 2 and 1 win. The Americans only won two holes, both by Finau.

Matsuyama-Pan (Int.) def. Simpson-Reed (U.S.), 1 up

After his rules violation at the Hero World Challenge, Patrick Reed got an ear-full on the first tee after hitting into the bunker, with one heckler asking if a shovel was in his bag this week in Australia. It was a close match, with the Internationals holding a 2 up lead at the turn. Down the stretch, Captain America made a few clutch putts, evening the match with a birdie on No. 16. Hideki Matsuyama then re-claimed the lead on the 17th, leading to the 1 up win.

Ancer-Oosthuizen (Int.) def. Johnson-Woodand (U.S.), 4 and 3

The final match of the day was the second to end as Louis Oosthuizen and Abraham Ancer absolutely boat raced the high-powered pairing of Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland. Oosthuizen was on ace-alert at No. 3, hitting the shot of the day at Royal Melbourne’s opening par 3. Ancer and Oosthuizen went 4 up through five holes and the match never got closer than 3 up, ultimately ending 4 and 3 on the 15th.

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