By Martin Blake
China’s Haotong Li made his debut in the Presidents Cup on Saturday and it was a memorable one.
Not because Li played especially well, though.
The world No. 65 made what television commentator Alison Whitaker called a “rookie error” when he played out of turn with his second shot at the par-five second hole.
In matchplay, where playing first is largely considered to be an advantage, players are strict about who gets to strike a blow first. Justin Thomas, who was on the American team against Li and Marc Leishman, asked him to wait his turn and play the shot again, which is exactly what he can do under the rules.
Haotong Li, centre, with Internationals captain Ernie Els, right, and Cameron Smith, left, in Melbourne. Credit: Getty Images
Li had his ball fetched, hit his next shot into a tree and the Internationals lost the hole.
Although he had his moments – a brilliant birdie at the par-three third for one – Li and Leishman lost their match.
Take Me Home, Country Roads
Bryson DeChambeau was benched from the American team for Saturday and has played just one match all week, the minimum under the rules, for one defeat.
But the world No. 13, perhaps looking for something to fill his time, spent a while in the grandstand at the first tee with the fan group sporting American colours today, even joining a rendition of ‘Country Roads’.
He will play singles tomorrow but he has been less than prominent this week, just as Patrick Reed (0-3) has had a shocker.
Els' men muscle in
The 9-5 lead that the Internationals took into round four on Saturday afternoon was the first time since 1998 that the team had led through three rounds. Of course, that was the year that a team captained by the late Peter Thomson secured the only non-American win in tournament history.
The Internationals need to get 15 ½ points on Sunday to win the Cup back. If it's a tie, they will share the trophy.
Golf trumps Trump
The Presidents Cup has been a beauty and it has attracted attention in the most unusual of places, notably the US Congress, where the House of Representatives judiciary committee was debating articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Friday.
Cameras caught out Democrat Cedric Richmond watching a livestream of the Cup during the debate, which caused a lot of mirth on social media.