US retain Presidents Cup

The United States closed out a dominant performance at the Presidents Cup to win the event for the seventh time in a row.

A big final day from the International squad cut the score to 19-11, although this was a one-sided performance throughout the weekend at Liberty National Golf Club.

The hosts needed just one point on Sunday to clinch the victory, coming in with a 14 1/2 to 3 1/2 lead over the International squad. Kevin Chappell got the half against Marc Leishman, and after wins for Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama, Daniel Berger beat Si Woo Kim for the outright win.

The visitors did muster a response on Sunday, winning six of the 12 singles matches after the result was decided.

The hosts looked to be on target to beat their biggest victory of 21 1/2 to 10 1/2 in 2000, set before the number of matches was trimmed to its current 30.

The International team had won two matches only in the previous four sessions heading into the singles, but Australia’s Day and Japan’s Matsuyama registered the first victories at Liberty National on the final day.

That was too little, too late, as Berger’s 2&1 win against South Korea’s Kim put the Americans into an unassailable lead.

‘What a feeling,’ said Berger, who was informed by US captain Steve Stricker at the 16th that the US had clinched a 10th title.

‘Strick came up to me on 16 and told me the half a point was good enough. And then I just wanted to close out that match. It was an amazing week, and I feel excited for everyone on the team.’

More International wins followed for Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Scott and Jhonattan Vegas as Nick Price’s side made sure the Americans did not become the first team to win every session.

But the International team have not won a Presidents Cup since Royal Melbourne in 1998 – earning a tie at Fancourt in 2003 and losing the other nine matches.

Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler added gloss to the US score with 2&1 and 6&4 victories over Adam Hadwin and Emiliano Grillo respectively.

President Donald Trump was in attendance to watch the end of the tournament.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Kevin Chappell (USA) and Marc Leishman (Int) halved
Jason Day (Int) br Charley Hoffman (USA) 2&1
Hideki Matsuyama (Int) bt Justin Thomas (USA), 3&1
Daniel Berger (USA) bt Si Woo Kim (Int) 2&1
Charl Schwartzel (Int) bt Matt Kuchar (USA) 1up
Louis Oosthuizen (Int) bt Patrick Reed (USA) 1up
Dustin Johnson (USA) and Branden Grace (Int) halved
Adam Scott (Int) bt Brooks Koepka (USA) 3&2
Jhonattan Vegas (Int) bt Jordan Spieth (USA) 2&1
Kevin Kisner (USA) and Anirban Lahiri (Int) halved
Phil Mickelson (USA) bt Adam Hadwin (Int) 2&1
Rickie Fowler (USA) bt Emiliano Grillo (Int) 6&4