Powered by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Web Search by YAHOO!
 

Updated: 9:52 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 | Posted: 9:52 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013

US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions

Related

US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions photo
International teammates Graham DeLaet, left, of Canada, and Jason Day, of Australia, talk about their next shot on the 15th hole during a foursome match against the United States' Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio. The U.S. pair won 4 and 2. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions photo
United States' Steve Stricker congratulates teamamte Jordan Spieth after Spieth made a birdie putt on the eighth hole during a foursome match against the International team at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions photo
United States team player Tiger Woods, right, and Matt Kuchar celebrate after defeating International team player Louis Oosthuizen, of South Africa, and Charl Schwartzel, of South Africa, in the foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions photo
International team player Hideki Matsuyama, left, of Japan, and Adam Scott, of Australia, celebrate after defeating United States team player Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner in the foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions photo
United States team player Zach Johnson looks on after missing a putt on the 17th hole during the foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
US keeps a 1-point lead going after 2 sessions photo
United States team captain Fred Couples watches during the foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

By DOUG FERGUSON

The Associated Press

DUBLIN, Ohio —

Marc Leishman delivered one clutch putt and one perfect 7-iron to keep the International team in range at the Presidents Cup.

In the pivotal match of four games carried over to Saturday morning because of rain, Leishman and Angel Cabrera outlasted Brandt Snedeker and Webb Simpson for a 2-and-1 victory that gave the Internationals a 3-3 draw in the foursomes sessions.

It kept the American lead at one point, 6½-5½, going into a long day that featured 10 matches. And it was the first time since 2005 that the Internationals did not lose a foursomes session.

Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar polished off Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, 4 and 2, keeping that American tandem undefeated in both matches at soggy Muirfield Village. Kuchar won the Memorial in June, while Woods is a five-time winner at Muirfield Village.

Steve Stricker holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole to thwart an International rally, as he and 20-year-old Jordan Spieth picked up a 2-and-1 win over Branden Grace and Richard Sterne. Stricker (46) and Spieth — the oldest and youngest players at this Presidents Cup — also improved to 2-0.

Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama also remained unbeaten. They were 5-up through 12 holes until Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson staged a rally with birdies on the next three holes. The next two holes were halved in pars, giving the Internationals a 2-and-1 win.

The big match, though, was Leishman and Cabrera.

They were 1 up when play was halted because of darkness Friday, following a rain delay of nearly three hours. When the match resumed — it was almost as dark Saturday morning as it was Friday night when they stopped — Snedeker drilled a 9-iron to within inches of the cup for a birdie on the 14th to tie the match.

Leishman then rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on the 15th for a 1-up lead. Two holes later, he hit 7-iron from 191 yards that plopped down next to the cup for birdie to win the match.

The Americans have lost the Presidents Cup only once since it began in 1994 — 15 years ago in Australia. The last three have not been particularly close, so the Internationals are at least making a game of it.

Saturday figured to be crucial, provided the rain held off. Even before the second session wrapped up in the morning, the third session of five fourballs matches was under way. That was to be followed by five foursomes matches, leading into 12 singles matches on Sunday.

A team needs 17½ points to win.

With more rain in the forecast over the weekend, officials said the Presidents Cup could be extended to Monday. In a peculiar agreement, tournament director Steve Carman said if it did not finish by Monday night, the score of all matches completed at that time would be the final result.

Copyright The Associated Press

More News

 

More on myajc.com

Keith Marshall

Photos of UGA tailback Keith Marshall

Photos of UGA tailback Keith Marshall.

College football

A better Georgia Tech yields only an emphatic loss

Georgia Tech got the start it wanted and, at least for a little while, ran the option the way Paul Johnson wants it run.

Comments  (2)  

myajc logo 300x225

New 24-hour Digital Pass: Sample all of MyAJC.com for 99 cents

With a 24-hour digital pass, you can enjoy full versions of premium articles, news updates and access to the AJC online archives.