Saturday started with the possibility that the Internationals might not have a chance to win the Presidents Cup by the end of the day.
It ended with them sending a message to the Americans that the Internationals are not out of it yet despite the way it looked a few hours earlier when the U.S. held an 8-2 lead to start the day at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C.
After splitting morning foursomes matches, the Internationals dominated afternoon four-ball play, winning three of four matches, led by sparkplug rookie, 20-year-old Tom Kim.
Still in a hole, the Internationals have cut their deficit to 11-7 in favour of the U.S., with a dozen singles matches ahead on Sunday.
“Today was a great day for our team,” said International captain Trevor Immelman.
“We were in a deep hole. We’ve been fighting our guts out all week and we’ve just been trying to stay patient to wait for some putts to go in and finally, this afternoon, some putts started to fall for us,” he said.
“So, you know, I’m really proud of the guys for staying patient, as tough as what it was when you’re playing a team that’s that good and you continuously feel like you’re getting a punch in the guts,” said Immelman.
Saturday morning foursomes
Jordan Spieth/Justin Thomas (U.S.) defeated Sungjae Im/Corey Conners (Internationals) 4&3.
Adam Scott/Hideki Matsuyama (Internationals) defeated Cameron Young/Collin Morikawa (U.S.) 3&2.
K.H. Lee/Tom Kim (Internationals) defeated Scottie Scheffler/Sam Burns (U.S.) 2&1.
Tony Finau/Max Homa (U.S.) defeated Si Woo Kim/Cam Davis (Internationals) 4&3.
(Americans led competition 10-4 at conclusion of Saturday morning foursomes)
Saturday afternoon four-ball
Si Woo Kim/Tom Kim (Internationals) defeated Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele (U.S.) 1 up.
Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth (U.S.) defeated Taylor Pendrith/Hideki Matsuyama (Internationals) 4&3.
Sungjae Im/Sebastián Muñoz (Internationals) defeated Tony Finau/Kevin Kisner (U.S.) 3&2.
Adam Scott/Cam Davis (Internationals) defeated Billy Horschel/Sam Burns (U.S.) 1 up.
(Americans lead competition 11-7 going into Sunday singles)
LPGA Tour
Maude-Aimee Leblanc and Alena Sharp both missed the cut at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. There are no Canadians remaining for the final round.
That leaderboard is here.
PGA Tour Champions
With play suspended due to darkness on Saturday evening, Stephen Ames was below the cut line at the Pure Insurance Championship.
Click here for the leaderboard.
Epson Tour
Megan Osland shot her second consecutive one-over 73 at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout on Saturday.
At two over through the first two rounds, Osland is tied for 35th.
Selena Costabile missed the cut.
Click here for all the scores.
