Presidents Cup Birdies & Bogeys: Sunday

October 11, 2015

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Photo By: US PGA TOUR

Birdie: Bill Haas

Talk about pressure, Haas was playing for his team, his country and his dad's legacy as captain when the event came down to his anchor match. But the captain's pick came through, finally putting home-crowd hero Sang-Moon Bae away on the final hole to secure a one point American victory. Not surprisingly, tears of joy flowed from both the younger and older Haas in the aftermath. Who says the Presidents Cup isn't a big deal?

Photo By: US PGA TOUR

Birdie: The Internationals

Midway through Friday play, the Americans held an advantage in four of the day's five matches. Considering the U.S. had delivered a beatdown in the opening day of the event, it looked like the Presidents Cup was going to lack any weekend drama. Yet the Internationals held steadfast, making a Friday afternoon charge and pushed their opponent all the way up until the final Sunday match. The Internationals gave the Jay Haas and the Americans everything they had and more -- and gave this event the shot in the arm it needed.

Bogey: Jason Day

The man who closed out the season on a Tiger-like run couldn't produce any roars in South Korea. Day made five bogeys on Sunday to lose to Zach Johnson and finish the week without winning a single point. Those who thought the Aussie would be the difference in this year's matches were right -- they just didn't realize he would wind up being the International team's least valuable player.

Birdie: Branden Grace

His 2 and 1 win over Matt Kuchar won't make up for his coming up short at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. But his 5-0 record this week proves yet again that the South African is one of the world's best players.

Birdie: Lahiri vs. Kirk

Little was expected from this contest entering play, as both combatants had contributed little of merit to their respected teams. Yet this match between the long-hitting Lahari and short-game savant Kirk turned out to be one of the more exciting events of the day. On 18, Kirk hit a terrible chip, but made an incredible putt from 15 feet. Lahiri hit an incredible chip, but hit a terrible putt, lipping out from inside of three feet to give the match to Kirk. Lahiri's heartbreaking reaction was a testament to the emotion that's very much alive in the Presidents Cup.

Birdie: Phil Mickelson

What can you say about the guy? Many people thought Phil shouldn't have even been in South Korea this week, but he wound up being America's best player. Mickelson holed a shot from off the green for the third time in the event and cruised to a 5-and-4 win over Charl Schwartzel.

Bogey: Rickie Fowler

A year after getting routed by Rory McIlroy in singles at the Ryder Cup, Fowler once again got smoked in singles, this time by Adam Scott. Fowler was four over through 13 holes, falling to Scott 6 and 5. That leaves him stuck on one win in three international team competitions as a pro.

Birdie: Louis Oosthuizen

The South African capped off his perfect week with a dramatic finish. Trailing Patrick Reed heading to the 18th hole, Oosthuizen hit his second shot on the par 5 to 10 feet and then converted the eagle to earn a half point that kept the Internationals' hopes alive. They couldn't complete the comeback, but Oosthuizen's 4-0-1 record certainly wasn't the problem.

Birdie: Adam Scott

After struggling for much of the week with his new short putter and cross-handed stroke -- even tinkering with a claw grip at one point on Friday -- it all came together for the Aussie on Sunday. Scott dusted Rickie Fowler, 6 and 5, and left South Korea feeling much better about his prospects once the anchoring ban goes into effect.

Bogey: Matt Kuchar

Sure, beating Branden Grace this week was a tall order, but Kuchar's slow start made things a lot easier on the South African. With four bogeys in the first eight holes, Grace grabbed a four-up lead without even making a birdie. Kuchar rallied late, but it wasn't enough. Once one of the steadiest players for Team USA, he's won just one of his past nine matches in international team competition.

Birdie: Marc Leishman

Captain Jay Haas tried to keep Jordan Spieth away from Jason Day in singles match play, believing the move would translate into a U.S. point. Not the worst of game plans. Unfortunately for Haas, Leishman had other intentions. The 31-year-old Australian won the 14th and 15th holes to go 1 up in his battle with the world's No. 1 player, holding on with a clutch birdie on No. 18 after an amazing chip by Spieth to score the upset for the Internationals.

Birdie: Brooks Koepka

Many believed Koepka was deserving of a captain's pick when rosters were announced. That the 25-year-old was left off entirely after Jim Furyk was injured became an outright snub. However, to Koepka's credit, he did not complain or offer up umbrage, instead taking to Twitter on Saturday night: "Appreciate all the support for the #PresidentsCup but I'm focused on earning my way on to every team, starting with @frysopengolf!! #PGATOUR"

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