Jason Day wanted to feel the rush of deciding a match and when it came on day one of the Presidents Cup the Australian did not disappoint.
Playing with Canadian Graham DeLaet against Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker, Day was left with a 20-foot putt on the final hole to help claw the Internationals back into the contest.
Having trailed in every match, and by three holes themselves, the putt allowed the Internationals to face just a 3.5-2.5 deficit after the first session.
“It’s exciting. Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to hit the big, clutch putts and it was great to have that chance to hit that putt,” said Day, who lives nearby to Muirfield with his American wife and child.
“Graham and I, we both played great golf, and we just kept on saying to ourselves, give ourselves the opportunities on the greens and be patient and things will happen.
“I just knew that if I could give myself a putt on the 18th green, that I have played here enough to know where the breaks are.
“Moments like that, that’s why you practise so hard and it’s just great to see all the hard work that I’ve put in this year pay off.”
Adam Scott found himself in the middle of an all-out birdie fest paired with Japanese youngster Hideki Matsuyama against Bill Haas and Webb Simpson.
The world No.2 Internationals spearhead was eight-under-par on his round, 11-under as a unit with Matsuyama, yet still could only muster a half against an equally amazing US team.
“That was the best golf I’ve ever been involved in in one of these competitions,” Scott said.
They had to win three of the last four holes just to earn the half, the final hole victory coming from a brilliant approach shot from the 20-year-old Japanese star to tap in range.
At the other end of the spectrum was debutant Marc Leishman, who was thrown into the deep end with Argentine Angel Cabrera against world No.1 Tiger Woods and world No.8 Matt Kuchar.
After being just one down through eight holes the Americans went on a tear to win easily 5&4.
“I was pretty nervous,” Leishman said.
“But I handled the nerves okay. I hit the first fairway, which was a good thing, but I haven’t been that nervous for a fair while.
“It was my first match, hopefully get that out of the way and won’t be as bad tomorrow.”
