The Presidents Cup is a biennial golf tournament contested by teams from the United States and an International Team. One of the most exciting and pivotal sessions of the Presidents Cup is the singles matches, played on the final day of competition. These matches often have significant implications for the outcome of the Cup, and they always produce some of the most compelling golf of the tournament.
– Tenacious Matchups: The Singles Clashes that Went Down to the Wire
Tenacious Matchups: The Singles Clashes that Went Down to the Wire
- 2003, Ernie Els vs. Tiger Woods: A true heavyweight clash that went to extra holes, with Els ultimately prevailing to secure an unlikely half point for the Internationals.
- 2005, Retief Goosen vs. Scott Verplank: Two bombers duked it out in a match that saw Goosen birdie the 18th to seal victory and square the overall competition.
- 2019, Cameron Smith vs. Patrick Reed: A back-and-forth affair that saw countless clutch putts and a tense finish, with Smith emerging victorious on the 18th hole.
- 2022, Christiaan Bezuidenhout vs. Sam Burns: A thrilling match that came down to the final moments, with Bezuidenhout making a heroic par on the 18th to preserve a half point for the Internationals.
- Clash of the Titans: The Singles Matches Featuring Golfing Greats
6. Hideki Matsuyama vs. Patrick Cantlay (2019)
Cantlay was 4 up through five holes, and while Matsuyama rallied to 2 down with three to play, a Matsuyama bogey and Cantlay birdie on 16 effectively closed the door. The match was academic in terms of the outcome of the Cup, as the Americans had already clinched it, but it is remembered as a strong singles performance by Cantlay given that it capped a 4-0-1 week for him and served as an indication that he was poised to ascend to the top of the game in the coming years.
3. Stewart Cink vs. Marc Leishman (2022)
Cink, who hit one of the most iconic and unlikely shots in Presidents Cup history — a 1-wood from 280 yards that somehow landed on the 17th green to set up a winning birdie — gave the Internationals their first point of the week in 2022. Leishman had won his first two matches on Friday, but Cink — who at 49 was the oldest player in the field and perhaps should have won more than one match for his team — spoiled his chances at a perfect week.
2. Tiger Woods vs. Aaron Baddeley (2005)
This was the closest singles match in Presidents Cup history, coming down to the 20th hole before Woods made a 25-foot birdie putt for a 1-up victory. The match swung both ways; Woods was 2 up through 12, but Baddeley rallied and was 2 up through 15. Woods squared the match with a dramatic 20-foot birdie putt on 17 but needed extra holes to finally prevail.
| Metric | Tiger Woods | Aaron Baddeley |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Distance | 300 yards | 295 yards |
| Greens in Regulation | 65% | 60% |
| Putts per Round | 29 | 31 |
– Upsets and Overachievers: The Singles Matches where Underdogs Triumphed
Underdog Triumphs: Unforgettable Singles Matches
The Presidents Cup is renowned for its exhilarating singles matches, and the 2022 edition delivered its fair share of upsets and overachievers. Several underdogs rose to the occasion, leaving their mark on the tournament’s history.
5. Cam Davis’ Surprise Victory (2022)
Australia’s Cam Davis pulled off a stunning upset over Dustin Johnson, the world’s No. 1 player. Despite facing a daunting task, Davis played with remarkable composure and accuracy, securing a narrow 2-and-1 victory.
Additional Underdog Wins
- Seung-yul Noh defeats Jordan Spieth (2019): Noh rallied from an early deficit to secure a 3-and-2 victory over the American star.
- Sang-moon Bae defeats Bubba Watson (2015): Bae overcame a nervous start to defeat the two-time Masters champion in a nail-biting finish.
- Jason Day defeats Tiger Woods (2013): Day upset the tournament’s most iconic player in a closely contested match that ended on the 18th hole.
Upset Alert: Potential Future Stars
These underdog victories serve as a testament to the unpredictability of the Presidents Cup singles matches. They also showcase the growing talent pool in the International team, offering glimpses of potential future stars who could challenge the American dominance in the years to come.
And that concludes our ranking of the 12 most must-watchable Presidents Cup singles matches. From the theatrics of Spieth vs. Matsuyama to the epic battle between Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, these matches have provided some of the most memorable moments in Presidents Cup history. As the competition continues to evolve, we can only hope for more exciting and unforgettable singles matches in the years to come.
