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A20 SPORTS
Friday 13 december 2019

Presidents Cup

Continued from Page 18 Ancer, the Mexican rookie
who has received praise all
“I didn’t envision 4-1, no,” week for his fire and confi-
Els said. dence, opened with five
It was the first time the In- straight birdies in a crushing
ternational team won the defeat over the American
opening session since 2005, power duo of Dustin John-
which also was the last time son and Gary Woodland.
it led after any session in an But it was just a start.
event the Americans have “Keep the jets down,” Els
won 10 out of 12 times, in- said. “There’s a long way
cluding the last seven in a to go. Don’t get too ex-
row. cited. This is a strong team,
Woods assembled the and they’re going to come
strongest U.S. team ever back strong.”
for the Presidents based on Woods was so strong that
the world ranking. The first he decided to play again
playing captain in 25 years, in Friday foursomes, again
he inserted himself in the paired with Thomas. Woods
first match and made six kept two other teams to-
birdies, the most of anyone gether — Patrick Cantlay
at Royal Melbourne. and Xander Schauffele,
When it was over, the U.S. and Reed and Simpson —
team found itself in foreign even though both lost.
territory — trailing for the Els is sending out five new
first time in 14 years. partnerships, sticking to a
“We have to earn this cup,” plan that so far is working
Woods said, perhaps a re- quite well.
minder that history means “He had a system going in.
little inside the ropes. “Just We are his soldiers, so we International team captain Ernie Els, right, waves to the crowd after the International team take a
4-1 lead after the opening round of the President’s Cup golf tournament at the Royal Melbourne
because we lost the session follow his instruction, and Golf Club in Melbourne, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
doesn’t mean the Cup’s that’s what we did today,” Associated Press
over. C.T. Pan said. “And it works
There’s a long way to go, a great.” cans, but that was more a and Cantlay didn’t have mas, made a 12-foot birdie
lot of points available. The Woods showed off an ex- product of great play by good birdie looks over the putt to square the match
guys will regroup, and we’ll quisite short game, building the International team that final two holes to lose. on the 16th, only for Mat-
come out tomorrow ready a 2-up lead after two holes Els assembled to try to win The biggest of Scott’s five suyama to deliver his big
to go.” with pitch-and-run shots the Presidents Cup for the birdies was a 12-footer to putt on the next hole.
That was a message Els that set up easy birdies. He first time since 1998, its only halve the 14th and protect Reed’s 30-foot birdie putt
preached to his team after chipped in for birdie on the victory. a 2-up lead that led to vic- on the 18th to halve the
a dynamic performance. par-5 fifth, and closed out The International team tory on the 17th hole over match stayed above the
Scott overcame a snap the match with an 8-foot walked off the course with Tony Finau and Bryson De- hole.
hook on the opening hole birdie on the par-3 14th arms around shoulders, a Chambeau, now winless Perhaps typical of the
to make five birdies as he and a 5-footer on the next most happy occasion after in first four matches in the Americans’ day was when
and Byeong Hun An — the hole, his sixth birdie in the having lost seven in a row Ryder Cup and Presidents Johnson, playing for the first
replacement for Jason Day 15 holes he and Thomas since the tie in South Africa Cup. time since Aug. 25 because
— won in 17 holes. Hideki needed to beat Marc in 2003. The last chance for the of knee surgery, smashed
Matsuyama holed a 25- Leishman and Joaquin Nie- The middle three matches Americans to at least get driver on the 330-yard 11th
foot birdie putt on the 17th mann. is where the International a half-point came in the hole to just inside 4 feet.
hole that carried the Japa- Asked what worked well team seized control in the last match on the course. He missed the eagle putt,
nese star and C.T. Pan to in their first time playing to- opening session. Reed, who heard his share Ancer made a 12-foot bird-
a 1-up victory over Patrick gether, Thomas replied, “Ti- Adam Hadwin and Sung- of needling from the crowd ie to keep the 3-up lead
Reed and Webb Simpson. ger was working well.” jae Im won the 16th hole over his rules violation in the and the American team
Oosthuizen and Abraham Little else did for the Ameri- with a par, and Schauffele sand last week in the Baha- never got any closer.q