Presidents Cup 2015 Leaderboard: Thursday Scores, Top Pairings, Twitter Reaction

There's still a long way to go in the Presidents Cup competition between the top American golfers and the International team, but the first day was a major success at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club at Incheon City, South Korea, as the U.S. team won four of the five foursome matches to take the early lead in the biennial competition.

While the Americans may have problems when facing European golfers in the Ryder Cup, they have traditionally done well in Presidents Cup competition. The Americans have held the lead in 22 straight Presidents Cup sessions dating back to 2005.

"

USA was 0-6-2 in foursomes at Ryder Cup last year -- big reason for big loss Went 4-1 in same 1st day format at Presidents Cup

— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) October 8, 2015"

Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes got the Americans off to a sharp start, as they knocked in a string of birdies to keep the pressure on Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama.

U.S. Team	International Team	Winner	Score
Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes	Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama	U.S.	3 and 2
Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed	Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace	International	3 and 2
Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker	Anirban Lahiri and Thongchai Jaidee	U.S.	5 and 4
Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson	Jason Day and Steven Bowditch	U.S.	2 up
Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson	Danny Lee and Marc Leishman	U.S.	4 and 3

Holmes knocked home birdie putts on the second, third, fourth and fifth holes to put significant pressure on the opponents. Watson and Holmes earned a 3 and 2 victory over Scott and Matsuyama.

"

.@bubbawatson: improves to 3-0-0 in #PresidentsCup foursomes career

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) October 8, 2015"

"

.@bubbawatson, @JBHolmesgolf use short games, not power, to win opening #PresidentsCup match http://t.co/a6Clhee4F3 pic.twitter.com/uWw4eQ2WzF

— Golfweek Magazine (@GolfweekMag) October 8, 2015"

The second match of the day saw the Internationals pick up their only victory. Louis Oosthuizen and partner Branden Grace got the best of Americans Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed to take a 3 and 2 victory.

After battling on relatively even terms through the majority of the front nine, Oosthuizen dropped a long birdie putt of 21 feet on the ninth hole to give the Internationals a 1-up lead. They extended the lead to 3-up by the end of the 12th hole, and when the Americans could only halve the next four holes, they ran out of opportunities to cut into the lead.

The Americans dominated the remaining three matches. Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker ran away from Anirban Lahiri and Thongchai Jaidee by a 5 and 4 margin in Match 3. This match was over early because Fowler and Walker ran in three straight birdies starting with the second hole to take a 3-up lead, and the International team was never able to make any inroads.

"

The first U.S. points come from @RickieFowler and @JimmyWalkerPGA. #PresidentsCup pic.twitter.com/TZ8EtiMVSJ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2015"

Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson had their hands full with the International pairing of Jason Day and Steven Bowditch before winning the final hole to record a 2-up victory.

The Americans had a 2-up lead on the 16th hole and could have won the match on that hole if Mickelson's putt had not lipped out. Day rolled in a 31-foot birdie putt on the 17th to cut into the lead, but the Americans won the final hole when Johnson hit his approach shot within seven feet to give himself an eagle opportunity. When Day missed his eagle putt, the Internationals conceded the final hole and the match.

"

Mickelson is a cut up, a chameleon, a connector. And controversial pick who wins in Prez Cup http://t.co/1LFdd4e3Up via @USATODAY

— Steve DiMeglio (@Steve_DiMeglio) October 8, 2015"

"

Zach Johnson delivers a dagger, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson prove tough to beat and more in The Takeaway ... https://t.co/yuf8wUapIt

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2015"

Finally, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson rolled past Danny Lee and Marc Leishman in the final match of the day, 4 and 3. Spieth and Johnson won the first two holes and never trailed in the match. They managed to push their lead on the back nine when the International team hit three balls in the water hazard on the 11th hole.

The Americans and the Internationals will also play five matches Friday, as they engage in fourball competition.