USA hold slender 2015 Presidents Cup lead

The Internationals won 3.5 points to get back into the tournament

Danny Lee and Sangmoon Bae celebrate at the Presidents Cup. Credit: Harry How (Getty)

The Internationals trailed 4-1 after the first day, but Friday's performance has given them a realistic chance of winning only their second Presidents Cup.

The United States have a slender 5.5 – 4.5 lead heading into the third day of the 2015 Presidents Cup in Incheon City.

Nick Price’s International team needed a response in the fourballs after the United States sailed to a 4-1 lead on Thursday.

That was exactly what they got as Jay Haas’ American side took just 1.5 points on Friday thanks to a spirited performance from the hosts.

Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen maintained their perfect record together at this year’s tournament by beating Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth 4&3.

Sangmoon Bae impressed in his first start alongside New Zealand’s Danny Lee as they finished 1UP against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.

The South Korean Bae needed the home fans’ cheers to realise he had holed a wonderful pitch shot on the 10th as Price’s side began to show some fight.

The first halved points of the tournament were earned by Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson in their all-major winner’s clash with Jason Day and Adam Scott.

WATCH: Jason Day's swing sequence

 

Like the day before, Mickelson took the plaudits following a stunning bunker shot from 138 yards on the 12th that rolled into the hole with the match at AS.

It was the long-hitting duo of J.B. Holmes and Bubba Watson who took the visitors’ only full point of the day as they recorded a 2UP win over the Australians Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch.

However, Bill Haas, one of his father’s captain’s picks, and Chris Kirk were beaten in their first appearances of the tournament. Thongchai Jaidee, fresh from his Porsche European Open win, and Charl Schwartzel won 2&1 to give the Internationals a realistic chance of winning only their second Presidents Cup in the tournament's history.

The Saturday foursome pairings are:

Jason Day/Charl Schwartzel v Jordan Spieth/Dustin Johnson

Adam Scott/Marc Leishman v Bubba Watson/J.B. Holmes

Louis Oosthuizen/Branden Grace v Patrick Reed/Rickie Fowler

Sangmoon Bae/Hideki Matsuyama v Bill Haas/Matt Kuchar

Will Medlock graduated from UEA with a degree in Film and Television before completing a Masters in Sports Journalism at St Mary's in London. Will has had work published by The Independent and the Rugby Paper.