United States extend lead over Internationals to threaten Presidents Cup blowout at Quail Hollow

The United States tightened their grip on the Presidents Cup, with Friday’s fourballs domination raising the prospect of a blowout at Quail Hollow. The Internationals were severely weakened by the defections to LIV Golf, with the likes of Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen unavailable to captain Trevor Immelman. Ad Those absences left a big hole to fill, while it’s arguable only Dustin Johnson was a major miss for Davis Love III’s USA.

Golf'Sometimes you get beat' — Els reveals rallying cry offered to McIlroy after Open woe4 HOURS AGO After entering the day trailing by three points, the Internationals needed to make something happen early. As on the previous day, it did not happen and they will go into the weekend trailing 8-2. The top match was a high-quality affair, as Adam Scott and Cam Davis pushed Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas hard.

But they could never recover from falling three down after eight holes. Birdies were traded on the back nine, and Spieth was forced to make a series of clutch putts for halves. Day 2 Fourballs — United States 4 (8) — 1 (2) Internationals Jordan Spieth / Justin Thomas 2&1 Adam Scott / Cam Davis Scottie Scheffler / Sam Burns Halved Sungjae Im / Sebastian Munoz Kevin Kisner / Cameron Young Halved Mito Pereira / Christiaan Bezuidenhout Patrick Cantlay / Xander Schauffele 3&2 Hideki Matsuyama / Tom Kim Billy Horschel / Max Home 1 Up Corey Conners / Taylor Pendrith His par putt on 13 felt like a big moment, and Thomas took centre stage one hole later when sending a tee shot on the 14th, the second of the Green Mile, to four feet.