October 02, 2017, 10:02:54:23

U.S. wins Presidents Cup over International team at Liberty National

The United States clinched the Presidents Cup Sunday at Liberty National, defeating the International team for the 10th time since the series began in 1994.

President Donald Trump arrived at Liberty National just before 3 p.m. ET, and presented the trophy to U.S. captain Steve Stricker at the closing ceremonies. He was the first sitting president to attend the final day of matches, and he stuck around to hand out the cup.

Daniel Berger, one of five newcomers to the American team, delivered the decisive point in the fourth of 12th singles matches. Phil Mickelson, a part of 23 consecutive team events, won the final point in his 100th career singles match.

The score was 19-11.

''Honestly, it was really weird being out there today, knowing there was no chance of losing,'' Dustin Johnson who halved his match on the final hole to miss out on a 5-0 mark at Liberty National. ''I don't know how to explain it, but it was like playing golf with my buddies. We were going to win no matter what.''

Two years after the Presidents Cup came down to the final two matches in South Korea, this one nearly ended on Saturday.

''This is a juggernaut of a U.S. team,'' said Nick Price, in his third and final stint of the International captain, all of them losses. ''They're an overpowering team that played some phenomenal golf. It was tough to watch, especially being on the receiving end.''

The Americans won for the seventh time, and the eight-point margin was their widest since 2000 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

Jordan Spieth still hasn't won a singles match in his five appearances at the Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup, though he didn't lose his sense of humor. So lopsided were the matches that Patrick Reed said the Americans could have suited up only three players on Sunday and still figured out how to get one point.

''Not if I was one of them,'' Spieth said at his self-deprecating best.

The Presidents Cup returns to Melbourne in 2019.

Thursday, September 2017 09:07:18:54

The Presidents Cup

Sept. 26-Oct. 4 at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.

The Presidents Cup, a biennial team competition that pits the United States against a line-up of international players from outside Europe, will be played at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Format:

Foursomes: Players alternate tee shots with one player teeing off on every even hole and one on every odd. Both alternate shots until the hole is finished with the lowest score winning the hole.

Four-ball: Both players tee off on every hole. Both players play their own ball. The player on the team with the best score is what is counted when the hole is finished.

Singles: Heads up play between two players. Best score wins the hole.

🏌️

Phil Mickelson, the five-times major winner, was one of two captain’s picks to the United States.

“My excitement to be on this team is as great as it’s been for any team I’ve been on," Mickelson said. "It means a lot to me. What means a lot to me this year is that they wanted me there even though I didn’t get the spot on my own. I really love being around these guys. I respect how great they are. This is a special team and to be a part of it is very meaningful to me.”

Mickelson, who finished in a tie for sixth last week in the second leg of the PGA Tour’s four playoff events, and Charley Hoffman were captain Steve Stricker’s two picks to round out his 12-man team for the Sept. 28-Oct. 1 Presidents Cup. Mickelson has played on every Presidents Cup team since 1994.

For Mickelson, already a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame with 42 career PGA Tour wins, his addition to the team means he will have played in 23 consecutive team matches for the United States, including the Ryder Cup, dating back to 1994.

“He is so valuable in the team room and is a tremendous partner on the golf course,” said Stricker. “As someone who has been on 22 straight teams, he’s a deserving pick, and he showed that with his strong play in Boston at the Dell Technologies Championship last week.”

Mickelson was 15th in the Presidents Cup standings, which awards automatic team berths for the top 10 players, while Hoffman finished 11th.

International team captain Nick Price, looking to guide his side to their first victory since 1998, selected Argentine Emiliano Grillo and India’s Anirban Lahiri with his two picks.

The United States has won the Presidents Cup nine times in its 11 editions, most recently by 15-1/2 points to 14-1/2 at the 2015 edition in South Korea.

The rest of the U.S. team: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar.

The rest of the International team: Hideki Matsuyama, Jason Day, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim, Jhonattan Vegas and Adam Hadwin.