Well I did predict the score would be 3-3 in my last post, and it was, if not quite in the order I had suggested.
The NNW wind that forced play to move up by 2 hours played havoc with these, many of the world's best, firm fast green running over 14 on the stimpmeter, and tough pin positions made getting an approach close near impossible, as Tiger said " just hitting a green in regulation was an accomplishment"
Highlights...Baddeley's triumphant return, Tiger / Allenby winless, Ogilvy's clutch play, Bubba and Webb 2-0, Saturday foursomes who will sit ?...
Here is a brief breakdown of each match
Watson/Simpson
WINS 3 & 1
Els/Ishikawa
This US pairing needs a new challenge as they beat Ernie and Ryo for the 2nd day in a row, although this one was closer, with Bubba putting it away with birdies at 15 and finally at 17. Ernie only won 1 hole with a birdie all day
Johnson/Woods
WINS 1 UP
Baddeley/Day
After the course and the weather and the course, this was the story. The match was all about near misses for Tiger and the return of Baddeley who got his side up with a 25' birdie putt at the 13th, after Woods and Day had swapped birdies on the front nine. At the par 5 15th Tiger curled a 66 footer for eagle just over the edge, made the birdie but here came Bradley with an exquisite bunker shot 3rd to 5 feet, made birdie. Baddeley matched the US pair with pars at the last 3 and survived a scare at the last when Tiger nearly chipped in for a match tying birdie.
Mickelson/Furyk
WINS 2 & 1
Scott/Kim
This veteran US pair has found some form, and had a solid 3up lead until Kim won the 13th with a par 4, and Scott the 16th with a birdie, but Furyk nailed a 13 footer for birdie 3 at 17 for the point.
Haas/Watney
WINS 1 UP
Ogilvy/Choi
Ogilvy was the difference. He holed a bunker shot at 5 for birdie 2, then nailed an 8 footer for birdie at 6 to go 2up. Bill Haas had his moments birdie at 9 then he drove the 334yd 11th to 7 feet and knocked in the eagle putt to square the match. Ogilvy won the 12th with a par 4 when the US pair both made bogey, and although Watney left a 20 foot birdie putt inches short at the 18th, the International team prevailed.
Kuchar/Stricker
WINS 4 & 3
Yang/Allenby
Captains pick Allenby and his ineffective partner YE Yang were beaten almost single handed by Matt Kuchar who won 5 holes himself, with an out of sorts Steve Stricker.
Kuchar had his team 3 up through 6 before Allenby got one back at the 7th, but birdies at 12 and 15 by Kuchar ended the rout.
Mahan/Toms
WINS 2 & 1
Goosen/Schwartzel
I had the US pair in a tight one mainly because Toms was playing better than the Goose. Well the Goose had his side 2up with wins at 2 and 3 to shut me up, then Schwartzel made it 3up with a beauty of a chip to 4 feet at the driveable 11th. Toms got one back with a par win at the 14th, but the US side ran out of holes at the 17th.
Final score 3-3, Total USA 7 Internationals 5
Now onto the Saturday (Friday evening est) for the 5 foursomes and the 5 fourballs that will go a long way to setting up the singles matches. Colder weather, rain and a wind from the opposite direction means a completely different Royal Melbourne.
Here are the pairings for the morning foursome matches.
MATCH 13 – Robert Allenby-Geoff Ogilvy, International vs. Webb Simpson-Bubba Watson, U.S.
my thoughts.. A new test for the unbeaten US pair, and Allenby must help justify his captains pick with a win here. A tall order, but I think these veteran Aussie's are up to it in this different wind on their home course.. Internationals
MATCH 14 – Bill Haas-Matt Kuchar, U.S. vs. Ernie Els-Ryo Ishikawa, International
my thoughts.. Ernie and Ryo asked captain Norman to be paired again in case you were wondering, Ernie apparently woke up stiff this morning, so a risk by Norman over an American team that is growing more comfortable now that they are into it.
Can Els and his experience in today's weather overcome the stronger pairing from the US ? USA
MATCH 15 – Retief Goosen-Charl Schwartzel, International vs. Hunter Mahan-David Toms, U.S.
my thoughts.. The Goose was better yesterday, Schwartzel is the new heir apparent in South Africa, this is a cast iron International win
MATCH 16 – Tiger Woods-Dustin Johnson, U.S. vs. Adam Scott-K.J. Choi, International
my thoughts.. Scott and Choi dusted Woods and Stricker in this format on Thursday, Johnson replaces Stricker, and Woods was good and unlucky 24 hours ago. This will be a lot closer than Thursday, but remember this is in Australia, in a tough wind/course, and Tiger has flattered to deceive repeatedly recently... Nod to the Internationals
MATCH 17 – Aaron Baddeley-Jason Day, International vs. Jim Furyk-Phil Mickelson, U.S.
my thoughts.. tough veteran pairing to beat, but these young bucks passed their big test yesterday and are buoyed with confidence.. Internationals
Not playing – Steve Stricker (U.S.), Nick Watney (U.S.), K.T. Kim (International), Y.E. Yang (International)
my thoughts.. All these guys must play in the afternoon by the rules..Striker was never going to be asked to play every match due to his injury, Watney is the easiest personality to sit, Yang and Kim have been ineffective so far.
Internationals 4 USA 1
Bryan Angus also on twitter@mummmbles
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