At the very first hole, a brief silence fell over the International team. Ernie Els, wielding a belly putter that was soon to be banned, missed a seemingly routine 3-foot putt. The miss was more than a slip—it seemed to cast a shadow over the entire match against Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar during the 2013 Presidents Cup. For a moment, it looked like the International pairing of Els and Brendon de Jonge was doomed, facing the two American stars in a high-stakes foursomes duel.
What happened next was anything but expected.
The Pressure of Facing Tiger Woods and the Early Doubt
Brendon de Jonge, who had built a solid PGA Tour career without a win, found himself paired with one of the game's all-time greats, Ernie Els, to take on Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar. The match was a critical moment in the Presidents Cup weekend, with the International team desperately needing points in the face of American dominance.
According to de Jonge's reflections on the podcast Subpar, the pairing was a tough assignment. Their captain, Nick Price, had strategically matched them against Woods and Kuchar, but Els wasn’t pleased with the challenge. "Nick had put us against Tiger and Kuchar," de Jonge explained, "and Ernie was convinced that we were almost going out as sacrificial lambs, was not really pleased with it." That tension was tangible from the start.
The Missed Putt That Nearly Broke Them
The match began with Els missing a short putt on the first hole, a 3-footer that underlined his struggles with the putter that day. This early miscue could have rattled any team, and for the International side, it seemed to confirm the grim outlook. Yet, where others might have folded under pressure, Els and de Jonge recalibrated.
De Jonge recalled, "It’s around that time that Ernie was struggling with the putter. He wasn’t putting well," but despite the shaky start, Els found a way to steady his game. Their resilience turned the tide.
The Pivotal Moment: A 4-Foot Putt on the 18th Hole
After a tense back-and-forth battle, the match came down to the final hole. With the pressure mounting, Els drained a crucial 4-foot putt to clinch a 1-up victory over Woods and Kuchar. This single point was the only one the International team managed to secure in that afternoon session, making it a rare bright spot against a dominant U.S. team.
That moment was emblematic not just of their skill but of their mental toughness. As de Jonge put it, "But from there, he just played unbelievably well and turned out that he made a 4-footer on 18 for us to beat them 1 up." The victory was more than a scoreline; it was a statement.
Why This Win Still Resonates
For Brendon de Jonge, playing alongside Ernie Els was a career highlight. "Talking about playing with a guy, having him as my partner for all four sessions, that was the absolute dream," de Jonge said. Els was an idol, a player he’d admired growing up, and teaming up with him at the Presidents Cup captured the unique camaraderie and intensity of the event.
The 2013 Presidents Cup ultimately ended with the U.S. team defeating the Internationals 18.5-15.5, but the charge the International team made on Sunday—winning 7.5 of 12 points in singles—showed their fighting spirit. Still, the match where de Jonge and Els toppled Woods and Kuchar remains a defining moment, a glimpse of what can happen when pressure meets perseverance.
Brendon de Jonge Tiger Woods Presidents Cup 2013: What It Means for Golf Fans
This match provides a fascinating window into the unique format of the Presidents Cup, where captains have the power to set matchups—a strategic difference from the Ryder Cup. It also reveals how even the most dominant players like Woods can be challenged and beaten in high-pressure pairings. For fans tracking golf rankings, team dynamics, and player legacies, moments like these illustrate the unpredictable drama that makes team golf compelling.
Understanding the mental swings—how a missed putt can threaten to unravel a team but also how resilience can rewrite the narrative—is key to appreciating the stakes at events like the Presidents Cup.
Looking Ahead: The Next Test for International Team Players
As the Presidents Cup continues to evolve, captains and players will weigh these past matchups heavily when planning future strategies. For Brendon de Jonge, though now more focused on broadcasting, the experience of facing Tiger Woods remains a benchmark of competitive pressure and achievement.
The next Presidents Cup roster decisions and upcoming team events will test whether new pairings can replicate the grit and resolve that de Jonge and Els showcased in 2013. Golf fans should watch closely how these rivalries and partnerships develop, especially as international competition grows fiercer. For a broader view, explore our coverage of PGA Tour player profiles and rankings.
Source: as reported by All The Golf
All facts and quotes are credited to their originating outlets. Learn more about our sourcing policy.