MELBOURNE, Australia – The International team has the lead going into the final day of the Presidents Cup for the first time in 16 years, and it has a trio of rookies to thank for that.
Australia’s Marc Leishman and unbeaten rookie Abraham Ancer of Mexico staged a remarkable rally Saturday afternoon in foursomes, going from 5 down with eight holes to play to earn a most unlikely halve against Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas.
South Korea’s Byeong Hun An and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann never led in the final match and scratched out another half-point against Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar.
That gave the Internationals a 10-8 lead going into Sunday’s 12 singles matches at Royal Melbourne Golf Club – and a real chance to win the Presidents Cup for only the second time in its 25-year history.
“We’ve given ourselves a great shot to win the session tomorrow and win this cup,” said Australia’s Adam Scott, who has been part of one tie and seven straight losses. “I think we’ve got to be pretty happy about that. Come out tomorrow, leave it all on the golf course.”