Leishman's heroics not enough as US narrowly win Presidents Cup

Marc Leishman

Bill Haas closed out a narrow 15 1/2 to 14 1/2 victory as the United States won a sixth consecutive Presidents Cup crown on Sunday.

Haas - son of US captain Jay - secured the winning point by beating Bae Sang-moon of South Korea 2-up in the decisive singles match.

The result at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon means the US have won nine of the 11 stagings of the competition, with the Internationals' only victory coming back in 1998.

The Americans headed into the final day of action with a 9 1/2 to 8 1/2 lead, but an early 6 and 5 victory for Adam Scott over Rickie Fowler served as a clear signal of intent from the Internationals.

Dustin Johnson re-established the lead with a 2 and 1 win over Danny Lee, before Phil Mickelson overcame a tee shot on the first that landed in a spectator's umbrella to give the Americans a cushion with a comfortable victory (5 and 4) against Charl Schwartzel.

That advantage proved short-lived, however, as Hideki Matsuyama and Steven Bowditch pulled the Internationals back level with wins against J.B. Holmes and Jimmy Walker respectively.

Day four was turning into a real game of cat and mouse and the US pulled away once again through Chris Kirk and Zach Johnson, but Marc Leishman - a 1-up victor over world number one Jordan Spieth - and Branden Grace were on hand to ensure a tense finale.

Bill Haas - a captain's pick for the event - had not managed a win in the fourballs or foursomes but was charged with securing an outright US victory and staving off the Internationals' hopes of forcing a tie.

Haas moved 1-up with a birdie on the sixth, before Bae conceded the next to hand his opponent a two-shot advantage.

Back-to-back gains for Bae on holes 10 and 11 restored parity, but Haas moved in front once again at the 12th and a fluffed chip on the last ended Bae's chances.

The 29-year-old - playing for the final time before he begins his mandatory military service in South Korea - held his head in his hands in despair as the US team celebrated yet another Presidents Cup triumph.

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