Charlotte, United States of America – Ten years after losing the “Miracle at Medinah” Ryder Cup to Europe, a United States team captained by Davis Love faces a similar fate at the Presidents Cup.
Saturday, the Internationals closed to within four points of the Americans, 11-7, the same deficit Europe overcame on the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup to triumph.
The United States team, which leads the Presidents Cup series 11-1-1, must earn 4.5 points from Sunday’s 12 singles matches at Quail Hollow in order to win the trophy for the ninth straight year.
With ten of the world’s top sixteen players, the United States was a significant favorite over a worldwide team that had lost numerous top players after they switched from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and became ineligible.
A U.S. golf loss would be a major upset. However, the Americans still hold a four-point advantage.
“Four points is four points. It has been a large amount “Love said. “I’ve also been four points behind before, you know. We have been four in front and four behind. Therefore, it is a mystical number.”
Australian Cam Davis and South Korean Kim Joo-hyung made putts that came in 1-up victories in matches in which US duos were leading with three holes remaining.
In contrast, the Americans are more “pissed off” and determined to avoid a similar fate this time as a result of their historical connections to the 2012 upset loss.
The image of Si Woo Kim racing after Tom Kim to rejoice will remain in my mind forever.
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— Dylan Dethier (@dylan dethier) September 25, 2022
Unbeaten US golfer Jordan Spieth stated, “I couldn’t tell you what the score was and what it ended up being, and I don’t really care.” Nobody from the opposing squad is on this team.
Justin Thomas, another 4-0 American, pointed out, “I attended the World Amateur in Turkey. It is difficult to watch this on television.”
Olympic champion Xander Schauffele says he did not watch the 2012 games either.
“I just started my sophomore year at San Diego State, so I didn’t watch much golf there,” he explained. “Much better activities.”
The only aspect of history that the US team was interested in on Saturday was the score, which left the Americans in a foul mood.
“(Singles) is one of our greatest forms, and tomorrow they will come out swinging. I thus hope they are mad. I am convinced that they will transfer that energy into their performance tomorrow.”
Thomas stated that Saturday’s setbacks will serve as motivation on Sunday.
Thomas stated, “We’re going to play a bit angry and try to win 12 points to see what we can do.”
Need to reorient
Spieth made it obvious that he favors his team’s higher-ranked players in head-to-head competitions.
Spieth stated, “We need to refocus, and we’ve got a lot of angry guys who want to come out incredibly strong.”
“I wouldn’t choose any of their players to play against any of ours, under any circumstances. Even if you pit any of our men against any of their men, I believe our men will prevail.”
Schauffele named himself “I was one of those angry men, and I wasn’t pleased with myself. Therefore, we eagerly anticipate tomorrow.”
However, he plans on calming his rage.
“I don’t play well when I’m angry. I play like a toddler, “Schauffele stated. “I play my best when I am fully there and concentrated.”
AFP