Team USA wins Presidents Cup with comeback in singles matches

The Internationals entered the final round singles matches at the 2019 Presidents Cup with a 10-8 advantage over Tiger Woods and the Americans.

The playing captain went out first and set the tone early for Team USA, who needed to win 7½ points to win the biennial competition for the eighth straight time. Ernie Els and company dominated the competition early at Australia’s gem of a track, Royal Melbourne, and needed just 5½ points from the final 12 matches to win for just the second time and first since 1998.

The Americans went 6-2-2 in the first 10 matches and in the 11th match, Matt Kuchar took a 1 up lead to the 18th tee, securing at least 15½ points for the title.

Below you’ll find the results and information on all 12 singles matches as they conclude:

Singles results

Tiger Woods (USA) def. Abraham Ancer (Int.), 3 and 2

Just Tiger Woods doing Tiger Woods things. The U.S. playing captain called his own number, never trailed in the match, and dominated en route to a crucial first point for his team. What a match.

Tony Finau ties Hideki Matsuyama

Talk about a comeback. Hideki Matsuyama was 4 up through 10 holes, but Tony Finau then won holes 11-14 to tie the match. Matsuyama briefly re-claimed the lead, but Finau fought back once again, ultimately earning the half-point.

Patrick Reed def. C.T. Pan, 4 and 2

No regular caddie, no problem. Captain America found his shield and Patrick Reed cruised to a much-needed victory to silence the heckling crowd at Royal Melbourne. Reed blitzed C.T. Pan early, going 6 up through seven holes, but Pan briefly fought back and extended the match to the 16th hole.

"When you make birdies, you don't hear much," said Reed to Golf Channel after the win about dealing with a boisterous crowd.

Dustin Johnson def. Haotong Li, 4 and 3

Welcome to the Presidents Cup, Haotong Li. Dustin Johnson drubbed the rookie with ease, taking a 1 up lead on the third hole, extending it to as much as 5 up before ending the match on the 15th green with a birdie.

Bryson DeChambeau ties Adam Hadwin

Bryson DeChambeau, who sat out both rounds on Saturday, led for six holes on the front nine, but the second half of the match was a dogfight until the very end. Tied heading to the 16th, DeChambeau won with a birdie, but Hadwin tied the match with a par on No. 17. Pars on No. 18 secured the half-point for both squads.

Sungjae Im def. Gary Woodland, 4 and 3

A pair of Presidents Cup rookies, Im and Woodland were back-and-forth on the front nine, but after the turn the match was all-Im. The PGA Tour Rookie of the Year won Nos. 11, 13, 14 and 15 to take down Woodland and earn the first point of the day for the Internationals.

Patrick Cantlay def. Joaquin Niemann, 3 and 2

Another pair of rookies at the event, Cantlay and Niemann both led briefly on the front nine, but made the turn all tied up. Niemann reclaimed the lead on No. 10 but the next six holes were dominated by Cantlay, who won five to earn another crucial point for Team USA.

Xander Schauffele def. Adam Scott, 2 and 1

Xander Schauffele took a 4 up lead to the turn and it looked as if the Americans were primed to take this match with ease. Australian Adam Scott showed some fight down the stretch, but didn't have enough to dig out of the hole. 

Webb Simpson def. Byeong-Hun An, 2 and 1

Webb Simpson was 0-3 entering his singles match but he made his trip to Australia worthwhile with a massive point for his team when they needed it the most. Simpson's late victory over Byeong-Hun An was the 15th point for the U.S., meaning they needed just a half point to win the cup.

Cameron Smith def. Justin Thomas, 2 and 1

Cameron Smith is going to be a thorn in the side of the U.S. for many years to come in the Presidents Cup. The Australian native took down Justin Thomas, who has been a leader for the Americans all week, and did so without fear. Thomas led for the entire front nine, by as much as 3 up, but the Presidents Cup rookie never gave up, dominating the back nine to end the match early.

Matt Kuchar vs. Louis Oosthuizen, 1 up or tie

Matt Kuchar was 0-4-0 in previous Presidents Cup singles matches, but he earned a win for the Americans with at least a half point in his match with major champion Louis Oosthuizen. 

Rickie Fowler ties Marc Leishman 

Rickie Fowler was lights out with Justin Thomas this week, but lost his juice in the final match. Leishman got off to a hot start but Fowler fought back. It was a back-and-forth affair, with both players failing to close out the other.