Tiger secures US Presidents Cup win

Controversial captain’s pick Woods vindicates Couple’s decision

Tiger Woods secured the point that ensured the United States would retain the Presidents Cup as the Americans eventually ran out 19-15 winners over the Internationals at Royal Melbourne.

A controversial early pick by US captain Fred Couples, Tiger carried the erratic form he has shown thorughout the sseason into the fourball and foursomes matches, earning just one point from four. However, Woods – whose last victory, in the 2009 Australian Masters, came just a few miles away at Kingston Heath  – produced a tremendous display in the penultimate singles match.

Up against home favourite Aaron Baddelly, there were signs of the Woods of old in a resoundinng 4&3 triump which condemned the Internationals to a sixth defeat in a row.

Seeking to overcome a 13-9 deficit going into the final day’s singles, Greg Norman’s International side took the first four matches with wins by Kyung-Tae Kim, Charl Schwartzel, Ryo Ishikawa and Geoff Ogilvy.

However, Hunter Mahan and Nick Watney stemmed the flow of the Interntionals with impressive victories over Aussie Jason Day Korea’s KJ Choi, respectively. Despite Adam Scott and Retief Goosen earning two further points for Norman’s side, with the US well in front in the remaining games, the result never seemed in doubt.

The US were bolstered by the perfomance of Jim Furyk who, after an indifferent season by his standards, amassed five points from five matches, defeating the International side’s stalwart Ernie Els 4&3 in the singles.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered