International Team Takes Early Presidents Cup Lead, Tiger Woods Lone US Bright Spot

Posted on: December 12, 2019, 08:45h. 

Last updated on: December 12, 2019, 10:11h.

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The International Team took a surprising 4-1 lead on the opening day of the 2019 Presidents Cup, with Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas delivering Team USA its only win in fourball.

Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas paired up in the first match of fourballs. They took on Joaquin Niemann and Marc Leishman, won the first two holes, and never looked back on their way to a 4&3 victory.

All five matches had the American team favored. But Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele lost 1 down to Sungjae Im and Adam Hadwin in the second match. They were followed by three more losses.

Tony Finau and Bryson DeChambeau lost 2&1 to Byeong Hun An and Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, and Webb Simpson 1 down to CT Pan and Hideki Matsuyama, and Gary Woodland and Dustin Johnson lost 4&3 to Louis Oosthuizen and Abraham Ancer.

The International Team is off to its best start in 14 years. “This is the start we needed,” team leader Adam Scott said. “We haven’t seen this for a while. We’ve got to try to keep this lead now as long as possible, and hopefully the week runs out.”

Even Money

Prior to round one, Team USA was the strong betting favorite to win the Presidents Cup outright at -240. That’s implied odds of 70.59 percent, a $100 bet netting $41.67.

The Internationals were long underdogs at +280. That represents an implied chance of 26.32 percent, with a $100 bet netting $280.

After a surprising 4-1 fourball, the outright line is even, both teams now listed at +105 (implied odds 48.78 percent, $100 winning $105).

Woods, the US captain who picked himself as one of his four captain’s picks, was his team’s lone positive takeaway on Thursday. The 43-year-old made six birdies in what was a rather masterful performance in his 24th Presidents Cup match victory.

Asked what clicked between he and Woods, Thomas answered, “Tiger was working well between the two of us.”

Smith continued, “He played great. I didn’t really take advantage of the opportunities I had, and that’s what you have a partner for. It’s nice knowing that, and it’s nice because I know he’s playing well.”

Woods and JT will pair up once again later today in foursomes.

Foursomes Matches

The US will look to bounce back on Friday in foursomes play.

The format is alternate shot, where one player tees off, and his teammate then hits the next shot. Each match is worth a total of one point.

A tie scenario for all five matches is at +550.