Presidents Cup: United States clinch dominant victory over International team

Image: US President Donald Trump presented captain Steve Stricker with the Presidents Cup trophy

The United States retained the Presidents Cup as the International team's valiant final-day singles performance proved to be in vain.

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Presidents Cup

The hosts' 19-11 success was in truth a respectable scoreline for the visitors, who had trailed by 11 points following Saturday's play. Daniel Berger was the player to secure victory on Sunday with a 2&1 success over Si Woo Kim at Liberty National GC.

Image: Daniel Berger secured the winning point for the United States

With the US President Donald Trump watching on in New Jersey ahead of presenting the trophy, Steve Stricker's side claimed their 10th victory from the 12 editions of the tournament but Nick Price's International outfit showed some resolve to win the final day's session and avoid a record loss in the biennial match play team event.

Daniel Berger reflects on securing the winning point for the United States in the Presidents Cup

The opening singles match of the day ended in a half between rookie Kevin Chappell and Marc Leishman despite the American always holding a lead on the front nine, while there were victories for Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama over Charley Hoffman and Justin Thomas respectively.

Day secured a 2&1 victory over the 40-year-old American rookie while the Japanese world No 3 produced some impressive golf after a challenging week to defeat the FedEx Cup champion 3&1.

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Image: Jason Day was one of the International players to secure a victory on Sunday

Jhonattan Vegas earned a hard fought and impressive 2&1 win over three-time major winner Jordan Spieth to consign this year's The Open winner to a first loss of the week and Branden Grace claimed a half point against the world No 1 Dustin Johnson after a concession by the American at the 18th.

Image: Dustin Johnson gained a half point against Branden Grace

Adam Scott secured a 3&2 success over US Open champion Brooks Koepka while the South African duo Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen were 1up winners over Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed respectively.

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Rickie Fowler eased to a 6&4 victory over Argentine Emiliano Grillo in a match which saw the 28-year-old American lose only a solitary hole.

Image: Phil Mickelson is the leading points scorer in the Presidents Cup

The final two matches on the course saw Anirban Lahiri claim a half point against Kevin Kisner after the Indian won the final two holes with Phil Mickelson, playing in his 23rd consecutive team USA event, bringing the week's action to a close after earning a 2&1 victory over Canadian rookie Adam Hadwin.

"They're just great players," said Stricker on leading the hosts to victory. "Sometimes I marvel at the shots they are capable of hitting and the way they conduct themselves on the golf course. They are so aggressive - they take it on. This is a great type of format to be that kind of player.

Image: Steve Stricker (left) had the support of assistant captain Tiger Woods at Liberty National GC

"It was a blast. They are good kids to be around. USA team golf is in a great spot. They could be around together for a long time."

The next staging of the event will take place in 2019 at Royal Melbourne in Australia, site of the only International victory in 1998.

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