Presidents Cup 2019: Tiger returns to open singles with title on the line
December 14, 2019 09:07 MYT
United States captain Tiger Woods will attempt to lead from the front after putting himself out first for Sunday's singles as the seven-time defending champions fight to retain their Presidents Cup crown against the Internationals.
The USA head into the final day trailing the Internationals 10-8 following a dramatic ending to Saturday's action at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Playing captain Woods kept himself out of both the morning four-ball and the afternoon foursomes as Ernie Els' International team preserved their lead, despite a USA rally.
But with the USA - who threatened to sweep the foursomes before the Internationals stormed back - eyeing an eighth straight title, Woods will open the singles against Abraham Ancer in Melbourne.
Sunday Singles @PresidentsCup matchups are set. Ancer Woods Matsuyama Finau Pan Reed Li Johnson Hadwin DeChambeau Im Woodland Niemann Cantlay Scott Schauffele An Simpson Thomas Smith Oosthuizen Kuchar Leishman Fowler pic.twitter.com/lNXfFyNAxL
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 14, 2019
Woods has the chance to set the record for most matches won at the Presidents Cup, after the 15-time major champion tied Phil Mickelson with his 26th victory on Friday.
Controversial American Patrick Reed will face C.T. Pan in the third match, but without caddie Kessler Karain - who has been banned following a fan altercation on Saturday.
Australian Marc Leishman will be the final International to tee off after being drawn against Rickie Fowler as the challengers target a first Presidents Cup triumph since 1998.
Leishman has confidence and momentum after he and Ancer sensationally rallied from 5down through 10 holes to halve their match against Fowler and Justin Thomas in Saturday's foursomes.
Sunday's singles matches (Internationals v the USA)
Abraham Ancer v Tiger Woods