Aussie cult hero pushes world No.1 to the brink
Min Woo Lee has continued to carve his name for himself at the Presidents Cup, pushing world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and teammate Sam Burns all the way to the 18th green in a fearless opening day performance at Medinah.
For the Internationals, Lee and Korean star Sungjae Im took the lead at the 13th hole in first match of the session, stunning the American pair and setting the tone for a far more competitive start than many expected.
Min Woo Lee in action during the opening day of the Presidents Cup. Getty Images
The international duo missed birdie chances inside 3 metres on three straight holes before finally converting on the 13th to grab the lead.
But Burns hit back immediately, and the Americans took the lead when the International pair made a meal of the 17th. A Scheffler par was enough to win the hole, and pars from both on the 18th was enough for the Americans to win the match 1-up.
It was the only match to make it all the way to the 18th hole on the opening day of action.
Ogilvy said it was “a bit task” for Lee and Im to play not only in the opening match, but also against the world No.1.
“It’s the best golfer in the world and one of the other best golfers in the world who’s played incredible this year – they’re a great pair.” Ogilvy said of the Americans.
“I’m sure they’re kicking themselves because they probably feel like they had an opportunity, but that will motivate them for (Friday) when they come out and maybe get another crack at that … they get another chance to win a point.”
Despite the narrow loss, Lee’s performance was the moment that electrified the International camp and caught the attention of commentators worldwide.
“Who would have thought that after 10 holes Scheffler and Burns wouldn’t have the lead?” former Presidents Cup player Frank Nobilo said on Golf Channel.
“It sets up all the others too … it’s got to have a ripple effect.”
Scheffler, the most dominant player in the world of golf, was expected to cruise through the opening match. Instead, Lee’s aggressive play and Im’s consistency forced the Americans into uncomfortable positions throughout the back nine.
The match became the defining storyline of the session, with the underdogs in all five contests, proving they were not intimidated by the star-studded US lineup.
The American pair of Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns and the Internationals of Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im. Getty Images
Lee’s challenge also provided a crucial psychological lift for Geoff Ogilvy’s side, who famously failed to win a single match on opening day in Montreal two years ago.
Australian veteran Adam Scott, playing his 55th Presidents Cup match and tying Phil Mickelson’s record, found the round much tougher. Scott and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox fell 3-and-2 to Wyndham Clark and Colin Morikawa.
A Clark birdie on the first hole gave the Americans an early lead, and the match would never so much as be square again.
The US also claimed the first point of the day, with Justin Thomas and rookie Jackson Koivun defeating Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria 4-and-3. Thomas remains unbeaten in four-ball matches at the Presidents Cup while 21-year-old Koivun impressed in his debut.
But the Internationals were struck back through Japanese pair Hideki Matsuyama and debutant Ryo Hisatsune, who secured a 3-and-1 win over Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele.
Day one ended 3-2 in favour of the Americans, but unlike previous years, the Internationals kept every match close and could have easily taken the session lead if Lee and Im had converted their early birdie chances.
The antipodean pairing of Ryan Fox and Adam Scott had a tough opening day. Getty Images
The opening day of play was played as a fourball, where each player plays their own ball and the best score from each team is recorded.
Day two action is foursomes, where there are two balls in play and each teammate plays alternate shots.
Day three has fourballs in the morning followed by foursomes in the afternoon, and then the final day of competition is singles.
