U.S. dominates opening round of Presidents Cup
JERSEY CITY, N. J. » A memorable start that featured the previous three U. S. presidents on the first tee ended with a familiar result in the Presidents Cup. The Americans are out to another big lead in the event they haven’t lost in nearly two decades.
PGA champion Justin Thomas made his professional team debut with a short day of work as he and Rickie Fowler lost only two holes in a 6-and- 4 victory. Jordan Spieth holed a 35foot putt that sent him and Patrick Reed to another victory. Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar remained unbeaten.
The Americans won the opening session for the sixth straight time in the Presidents Cup and built a 3½-1½ lead Thursday after the opening foursomes (alternate shot) matches.
Phil Mickelson, playing in his 23rd consecutive team competition, ended the tough, windswept afternoon at Liberty National by missing an 8-foot par putt, or the U.S. lead would have been even greater. He and Kevin Kisner were 1 down with two holes remaining to Jason Day and Marc Leishman, so a half-point wasn’t bad
ickelson’s only complaint was that he botched his selfie with former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, with barely his head showing.
Clinton has been the only sitting president to attend the matches, in Virginia in 2000.
Thatmight change. The PGA Tour was preparing for a visit by President Donald Trump on Sunday, though it has not been confirmed.
For the most part, everything else went the Americans’ way.
The lone bright spot for the International team was Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace, who improved to 5- 0 as a tandem. The South Africans pulled away for a 3-and-1 victory over Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger.
The Americans have a 9-1-1 lead in the series, their lone loss in 1998 at Royal Melbourne a few weeks before Christmas.
Nick Price, back as International captain for the third time, was not ready to panic. The Americans opened a 4-1 lead after the opening session two years ago in South Korea, and that came down to the final match.
“We always get ourselves behind a little bit in alternate shot,” Day said. “It would have been nice to be 3-2, but once again, we’re not that far behind. The American side is very, very talented and stacked. But I think our team and our boys are ready to rally.”
Friday features five matches of fourballs ( best ball), followed by a full day of foursomes and fourballs Saturday and Sunday singles.