US rules the world
Defeat International squad 19-11 to lift the President’s Cup
Jersey City (United States), Oct. 2: The United States polished off a 19-11 Presidents Cup win on Sunday over a battling International team whose fate was sealed over three punishing prior days.
Victory was in the bag when Daniel Berger went 3-up with three to play against South Korean Kim Si-Woo — assuring himself of at least half a point to go with the halfpoint gained by Kevin Chappell against Marc Leishman in the first match of the day.
By the time Berger wrapped up his 2 & 1 victory over Kim, victories for Aussie Jason Day and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama were irrelevant and it was certain that US President Donald Trump would be presenting the trophy to the home side on Sunday evening.
Trump arrived at Liberty National Golf Club — which lies in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty some 30 miles from his home at his Trump National Bedminster resort — just in time to see the Americans seal the win.
He watched from the glass-walled clubhouse at the 14th green, before becoming the first sitting US president to present the trophy.
“What a feeling,” said Berger, who was informed by US captain Steve Stricker at the 16th that the United States had clinched it.
The Americans set themselves up for a stressfree Sunday by thrashing the internationals over 18 foursomes and fourball matches — allowing them just two wins over the first three days.
The US led by 11 points overnight and needed just a point on Sunday to claim a seventh straight Cup.
“They came in here riding a ton of momentum and a ton of confidence,” Stricker said of his players, who included the winners of the last three major championships.
“It was about getting out of their wa,” he added.
World number one Dustin Johnson halved his final match with South African Branden Grace long after the Cup was decided.
“It was really weird being out there today, like knowing there was no chance of losing,” Johnson said.
“I don’t know how to explain it but it was like I was playing golf with my buddies or something,” he added.
Patrick Reed too felt the lack of the usual Sunday adrenaline.