Charl Schwartzel was determined to win his singles match against Matt Kuchar after being ‘surprised’ to sit out Saturday at the Presidents Cup, writes WADE PRETORIUS.

The 33-year-old South African, who lost 6&4 in Thursday’s foursomes and 6&5 in Friday’s four-balls, revealed that he was surprised to be left out of both sessions on Saturday as he felt he was playing well.

He took that snub, as well as the motivation of trying to avoid an embarrassment with the US chasing the biggest-ever win into his contest against Kuchar at Liberty National. The result was a solid win, even if Kuchar responded following the South African’s fast start.

Schwartzel won the first two holes and never trailed against Kuchar – who now has four singles defeats to his name in as many matches in the Presidents Cup.

‘I was probably 5-under, and Matt made six birdies from the eighth hole in, you know, with the eagle,’ said Schwartzel.

‘So it was really – he made one hell of a comeback, because I was way up, but I wasn’t playing badly. I make birdie and he makes eagle, and I was losing like that. It’s always going to be tough playing against Matt because he’s a really good putter, and he putted really phenomenal today.’

In his post-round interview, Schwartzel revealed his shock at being relegated to the bench for Saturday’s two sessions by Zimbabwean team captain Nick Price.

‘I was surprised that I sat out yesterday for both matches. You know, I was playing actually pretty well.’

Inspired by the snub, he admitted he had a point prove – which he did as he sat four-under after seven holes to blow Kuchar away before holding off the comeback of The Open runner-up.

‘For me it was almost trying to really show, prove a point and play really decent today.

‘Being way up was sort of nice for me in that sense, you know, but Matt took me to the last hole with the comeback. I had to grind really hard. I’m pleased with that win.’

Schwartzel’s comments may yet be the final nail in the coffin of Price’s time in charge of the Internationals.

Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images