Kirk, Bowditch earn singles points for their Presidents Cup teams

The International Team made a run at Team USA Sunday at the Presidents Cup, but came up one point short as the Americans won the event for the ninth time. The Americans are now 9-1-1 all time in the event that began in 1994 and features the top U.S. players against the top players in the world not eligible for The Ryder Cup.

The format includes partner play over three days in foresomes and four ball matches, then twelve singles matches on the final day.

Team USA had a one point lead moving into Sunday's final round. The two teams split those matches, winning five each and halving two. Two players affiliated with the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy (SHGA) and coached by Cartersville Country Club’s Director of Golf, Scott Hamilton, competed in the 2015 Presidents Cup in Incheon, Korea at the Jack Nicklaus Club.

Chris Kirk (USA) and Steven Bowditch (AUS) were both 0-2-0 in their earlier partner matches, but both came up big for their respective teams Sunday to pick up wins.

The Presidents Cup came down to the final hole of the final match. Bill Haas, the son of U.S. Captain Jay Haas, clinched the final point to hold off the International Team's push for the cup.

Kirk, one of the SHGA players, defeated Anirban Lahiri 1 up for one of the American points. Both Kirk and Lahiri were 0-2 before Sunday's singles session. Their dramatic match was all-square entering the 18th hole. Lahiri hit his third shot to the par-5 within 4 feet and Kirk hit his third shot to 16 feet away. Kirk sank the putt and gave an emotional fist pump. Lahiri lipped out the four footer that resulted in Kirk's 1-up win.

The other SHGA player, Bowditch, playing for The International Team, defeated American Jimmy Walker 2-up. Bowditch trailed after nine holes, but rallied on holes 10-12 to take the lead. Walker made birdie on number 17 to move to 1-down with one hole to play, but Bowditch birdied the final hole to complete the victory.

Singles results:

TEAM USA …...... INTERNATIONAL TEAM

Patrick Reed halved Louis Oosthuizen Rickie Fowler lost 6 and 5 to Adam Scott

Dustin Johnson def. Danny Lee, 2 and 1

J.B. Holmes lost 1-up to Hideki Matsuyama

Bubba Watson halved Thongchai Jadee

Jimmy Walker lost 2-up to Steven Bowditch Phil Mickelson def. Charl Schwartzel, 5 and 4

Chris Kirk def. Anirban Lahiri, 1-up

Jordan Spieth lost to Marc Leishman, 1-up Zach Johnson def. Jason Day, 3 and 2

Matt Kuchar lost to Branden Grace, 2 and 1

Bill Haas def. Sangmoon Bae, 2-up

The American team led the International team 9.5 to 8.5 after Saturday's matches.