Singles Successes of Battling Korean Trio in Vain

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States: Koreans Kim Si-woo, KH Lee and Im Sung-jae produced impressive wins in the Singles session at the Presidents Cup, but their heroics were not enough to prevent the International Team enduring a 17.5 – 12.5 defeat to the United States Team.

Kim recorded a stunning one-up victory over world number seven Justin Thomas in the top match at Quail Hollow Club. His success was emulated by Im’s one-up triumph over Cameron Young and Lee’s 3 and 1 domination of Billy Horschel.

It was Xander Schauffele who delivered the winning point for the Americans with a one-up victory over Canadian Corey Conners after the US had entered the final day with a four-point lead.

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama tied Sam Burns in a close encounter, the Japanese player's chip for a winning birdie on the last green hitting the pin and staying above ground.

Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Tom Kim Joo-hyung of Korea, arguably the star for the Internationals with two wins on Saturday, ran out of steam after leading three-up through 11 holes and lost one-down to Max Homa.

Kim Si-woo, KH Lee, Matsuyama and Australian Cameron Davis, who lost 4 and 3 to Jordan Spieth, are all former Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship participants.

Si-woo, a three-time PGA Tour winner, was the highest points earner for the International Team with three points in what was his second Presidents Cup appearance. He trailed two-down at the turn but snared four birdies coming home to down Thomas, who had won four earlier matches with partner Spieth.

“I’ve never been like this (much) pressure, even when I won the Players Championship (in 2017),” said Si-woo. “It’s a really hard match. It’s special for me because I played JT in the WGC Match Play three years ago, and I finished (lost) at the 13th hole. This time, I got my revenge.”

One of Si-woo’s most memorable moments came on the 15th green. Thomas had fired up the boisterous crowds after saving par from nine feet. When Si-woo matched him from inside eight feet, the Korean produced a ‘shush’ sign to the crowds by placing his finger on his lips and letting out a big fist pump.

“JT gives me the fist pump, and then I had to do it. I had to make it, and I made it. Then I had to do something. I think that give me more energy,” said Si-woo.

Lee, one of six captain’s picks, repaid Trevor Immelman’s faith by delivering two points on his International Team debut. Despite the loss, he hopes to fight his way into the next Presidents Cup which will be played at Royal Montreal in Canada in 2024.

“Super amazing! To win the match is so exciting. Everybody was pumping and cheering. It’s been an unbelievable week which I can’t forget,” said the 30-year-old, two-time PGA Tour winner.

Matsuyama, winner of the AAC in 2010 and 2011, was dejected after failing to secure what would have been a full point following a gripping encounter against Burns in which he led two-up at the turn. He lamented a cold putter, although it was a chip which nearly delivered an outright win on 18.

“Looking back, I wish my putting went in a little more. My putting was horrific and I wasn’t able to add points. I’m pretty disappointed. I was hoping to get a full point. I feel that I struggled to contribute to my team,” said the Japanese star, who was making his fifth straight appearance in the Presidents Cup.

Immelman praised his 12 men for fighting back from heavy losses in the first two rounds and entering the weekend down by 8-2. A stirring fightback in the last two days, led primarily by some stunning golf from 20-year-old rookie Tom Kim, saw the Internationals win 10.5 points to the US 9.5 points over the weekend sessions.

“We showed a lot of guts to fight back. At some point this afternoon, I thought there was still a chance,” said Immelman. “When you consider we were 8-2 down on Friday evening, this team is no joke. I’m sick and tired of it being spoken of as a joke. We love this event, and we love our team, and we cannot wait to run this back and have another shot.”

Australian veteran Adam Scott, who lost in the fourth singles match 3 and 2 to Patrick Cantlay, believes many of the International team members, who comprised of eight rookies, will form the backbone of future teams.

“This team’s got plenty of heart, and that’s thanks to everything Trevor’s put in the last couple years. He’s bled for this shield (team logo launched in 2019) that we now talk about, and it’s just the beginning for this team, really,” predicted Scott, who was making his 10th appearance in the competition.

“I think you’re seeing a lot of guys here who will be returning on the next one. And the week when they put it together, I think the US team is going to be up for a hell of a fight. I’m extremely proud to be sitting here with these warriors.”