The United States has taken control of the Presidents Cup, winning Saturday’s Four-ball 4 to 1 and extending their overall lead to four points over the International side. They lead 10.5 to 6.5, with one more 5-point session of Foursomes left and then 12 Sunday singles.
2013 Presidents Cup scores: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson lead American rout on Saturday
The U.S. side has taken control of the Presidents Cup thanks to the play of team superstars Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Dan Hicks of NBC relayed this astonishing stat: This was the first time the USA won a Four-ball format session in either a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup in 17 years. That’s hard to believe, given all the talent that’s loaded those teams during that stretch but this session could be the one that locks up the 2013 edition of the Presidents Cup.
It started with the lead-off match, with Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson once again igniting the crowd and picking up a point against Ernie Els and Brendon de Jonge. They were one of the Internationals team’s strongest pairs on Friday night, but Mickelson and Bradley turned it up on the back nine to hold a comfortable lead.
The anchor match, which was probably the best one on paper, went all the way to the 18th green before Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar knocked off Adam Scott and Japanese phenom Hideki Matsuyama. Woods put the Americans in control on the 15th hole with the shot of the day, a laser 5-wood that left a short eagle putt and a concession by the Internationals.
Jason Day and Graham DeLaet were the only International team to pick up a point in the 4-1 rout.
It’s certainly a role reversal for the International side, which is usually blasted in Foursomes format. They finished off a 3-3 split of the first Foursomes session this morning, but couldn’t generate any momentum from it. It’s now back to Foursomes for the rest of the day, but the second of the double-session day won’t come close to finishing before darkness hits the Columbus area.
Here are your results from Saturday Four-ball:
| Match Progress | International Pairing | USA Pairing |
| USA wins, 2&1 | Ernie Els & Brendon de Jonge | Phil Mickelson & Keegan Bradley |
| INTL wins, 2up | Jason Day & Graham DeLaet | Steve Stricker & Jordan Spieth |
| USA wins, 4&3 | Branden Grace & Angel Cabrera | Webb Simpson & Bill Haas |
| USA wins, 2up | Louis Oosthuizen & Charl Schwartzel | Hunter Mahan & Brandt Snedeker |
| USA wins, 2up | Adam Scott & Hideki Matsuyama | Matt Kuchar & Tiger Woods |
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