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Patrick Reed's caddie has been banned from the final day of Presidents Cup action after getting into a fist fight with a fan.

The controversial US player's caddie, Kessler Karain - also Reed's brother-in-law - came to blows with a heckling spectator after Saturday's morning session at Royal Melbourne.

After a PGA investigation, Karain was axed from the final day of singles play.

"Following an incident that took place on Saturday at the Presidents Cup involving Kessler Karain and a spectator, Karain will not return to caddie for Sunday's final-round singles matches," the PGA Tour said in a statement.

Reed also issued a statement: "I respect the tour's decision. We are all focused on winning the Presidents Cup tomorrow".

Reed's coach Josh Gregory is expected to step in to carry his bag for the final day.

Security had to step in as tensions boiled over after the morning fourball competition, with Karain admitting he "shoved" the fan but said it only resulted in spilled beer.

Karain made a statement via "Fore Play", a US-based golf podcast, which they issued on Twitter.

Karain, Reed's caddie for six years, said it was his job to "protect your player" and he felt the fan had gone too far with his comments about the 2018 Masters champion.

"We have been known for having fun with some good banter, but after hearing several fans in Australia for 3 days some had taken it too far. I had had enough. And this gentlemen was one of them," the statement said.

"Riding on the cart, guy was about 3 feet from Patrick and said "you f***ing suck".

"I got off the cart and shoved him, said a couple of things, probably a few expletives. Security came and I got back in the cart and left.

"I don't think there's one caddie I know that could blame me.

"Unless his bones break like Mr Glass, the most harm done was a little spilled beer which I'm more than happy to reimburse him for."

Winless from his three matches, Reed has been targeted by local fans with continual taunts since his arrival in Australia.

Last week, he was penalised for improving his lie in a bunker during a tournament, with Australian International team member Cameron Smith labelling him a cheat.

On day one, Reed shouldered Smith, who was in the crowd, as he left a hole, with the Australian saying he wasn't sure what prompted the bizarre action.

A group of fans dressed up as Reed's caddie on Saturday, but were stripped by security of toy clubs and a shovel.

SNAPSHOT OF DAY THREE OF THE PRESIDENTS CUP:

PLAYERS OF THE DAY: Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer. The Australian-Mexican pairing produced a superhuman effort to snatch a half point after being five holes down with eight to play against American superstars Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler.

STAT OF THE DAY: Ernie Els' team's 10-8 advantage has given the Internationals the lead heading into a Sunday's singles session for the first time since 1998.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Leishman has had a mixed tournament but his approach shot to less than two metres on the 18th hole to secure a crucial half point for the Internationals was a beauty.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Speechless. It's unacceptable for us to get a half a point." - a crestfallen Thomas after his and Fowler's incredible collapse.

CUP SUMMARY: The Internationals looked like they could lose all four matches in the foursomes and surrender their lead to head into the singles locked at 9-9. But they scrambled to collect two ties, and instead hold a two-point buffer. The US must collect 7.5 points from the remaining 12 available to retain the Cup.

HOW DAY THREE OF THE PRESIDENTS CUP UNFOLDED ON SATURDAY:

FOURBALLS:

* Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas (USA) bt Haotong Li and Marc Leishman (Internationals) 3 and 2. Internationals lead USA 6.5 to 4.5.

- After wins with US captain Tiger Woods on the opening two days, Thomas maintained his perfect record with another imperious display. With Leishman and Li unable to buy a putt, Thomas and Fowler were never headed after making birdie on the second hole. Thomas slammed the door with his fourth birdie of the morning on 16.

* Abraham Ancer and Sungjae Im (Internationals) bt Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (USA) 3 and 2. Internationals lead 7.5 to 4.5.

- Ancer by name and the answer by nature, the American-born Mexican won his third-successive match to join Thomas with a 3-0 record for the week. After squaring the first seven holes, the Internationals put their foot down on the back nine to restore their team's three-point buffer.

* CT Pan and Hideki Matsuyama (Internationals) bt Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (USA) 5 and 3. Internationals lead 8.5 to 4.5.

- Pan and Matsuyama won the opening hole and never looked back as Simpson and Reed lost for the third-successive day together. The hapless Americans managed only two birdies between them before the Internationals ended the misery on the 15th.

* Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (Internationals) tied Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau (USA). Internationals lead 9-5.

- Scott will rue missing a three-metre putt at the last that allowed Finau to salvage a half point for the Americans with an ice-cool birdie of his own. Still unbeaten after winning his first two matches, Scott again holed a series of clutch putts to keep the Internationals ahead for most of the round, only for Kuchar to repeatedly respond from distance.

FOURSOMES:

* Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (USA) beat Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen (Internationals) 2 and 1. Internationals lead 9-6.

- Ordered by Internationals captain Ernie Els to back up from the final morning match and open the afternoon action after just a 40-minute breather, Scott performed admirably but it was always going to be a tough ask beating a long-time world No.1 and reigning US Open champion under such trying circumstances. The Internationals led until the sixth hole but a mid-round burst between the 10th and 12th turned the tide the Americans' way.

* Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (USA) beat Cameron Smith and Sungjae Im (Internationals) 2 and 1. Internationals lead 9-7.

- Smith and Im were three up through five holes and seemingly on their way to a comprehensive win. But three-straight birdies on six, seven and eight dragged the Americans back into the match as Schauffele found his groove on the greens. The Internationals regained the lead on the 10th before USA rallied to claim another crucial point.

* Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler (USA) tied Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer (Internationals). Internationals lead 9.5 to 7.5.

- Thomas seemed certain to improve his perfect record for the week to four and zero with a dominant performance when the Americans led by five holes after seven and still by five with eight to play. But in one of the most amazing recoveries in Presidents Cup history, Leishman and Ancer rallied from dormie three to steal half a point to ensure the Internationals their first lead into a Sunday's singles session since 1998.

* Byeong An and Joaquin Niemann (Internationals) tied Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau (USA). Internationals lead 10-8.

- After opening with a birdie to take the first hole, Kuchar and Finau led all afternoon until the Internationals' pair of Cup rookies won successive holes on 14 and 15 to set the stage for a grandstand finish on Sunday.

Home-town hero Marc Leishman has described his Presidents Cup fightback as his finest day of golf after he clawed his way from five holes down to help the Internationals secure a final-day lead for the first time since 1998.

Leishman and his sharp-shooting Mexican partner Abraham Ancer looked down and out against US heavyweights Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler midway through the second foursome session at Royal Melbourne on Saturday.

But they rallied to tie and earn a crucial point to help give the Internationals the lead heading into the final day's play.

Leishman said the miraculous recovery was one he would treasure.

"That's probably as good as I've felt on a golf course, and I only halved the match," the 36-year-old said.

"We've all won tournaments, but we don't get chances to play with a teammate very often.

"To be successful with a teammate would be pretty cool ... I think if we can play well and do our jobs tomorrow, what we felt today is going to probably be pushed aside for what we may feel."

The Americans were running hot to post a five-up lead which they held until the 10th hole.

Leishman and Ancer then stormed back with two birdies as they clinched four of the next seven holes to close the lead to one and set up a thrilling finale.

World No.4 Thomas then pulled his drive off the par-4 18th tee, with the ball landing in the rough under a low-hanging branch.

But to the roar of the huge gallery Leishman pulled off the shot of his tournament, sending their approach to little more than a metre before the Americans conceded the hole.

Leishman said the crowd kept he and Ancer in the match when it appeared a lost cause.

"It was pretty amazing," Leishman said.

"Even when we were down on the front nine there, our spirits got a little low there for a few holes and the crowd was still getting behind us.

"I think that's what got us through ... walking to that 18th tee there felt like the Tour de France, everyone screaming, it was awesome.

"To fight back from five down, it's a pretty amazing feeling."

Fellow Aussie Adam Scott's dream Presidents Cup run came to an end with a tie and a loss on day three.

Posting wins on the opening two days to help the Internationals to a commanding lead, it appeared Scott was on track to finally crack a Presidents Cup victory in his ninth appearance.

In the morning fourball session, Scott and Korean playing partner Byeong Hun An held a one up lead until the final hole when American Tony Finau then iced a two-metre birdie putt to tie the match.

He and Louis Oosthuizen then fell to Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland two and one in the foursomes.

Cameron Smith and Sungjae Im led three up early in their afternoon showdown with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay but three successive birdies saw their lead fall away with the Americans going on to chalk up a two and one win.

Tiger Woods is gunning for the Internationals' silent assassin after his Presidents Cup captaincy was called into question at Royal Melbourne.

The 15-times major champion named himself to take on unbeaten Abraham Ancer in Sunday's opening singles match after surprisingly sitting out both sessions on Saturday.

The hottest pre-Cup favourites in history, Woods' US superstars trail 10-8 entering the final day and must claim at least 7.5 points out of a possible 12 to claim the trophy for an eighth straight time.

A loss in Sunday's opener would leave the Americans needing a European Ryder Cup team "Miracle at Medina" style comeback.

Little wonder Woods immediately picked himself to try to bring down Ancer.

The Mexican won his first three matches on debut before pulling off a remarkable comeback from five down with eight holes to play to square their foursomes on Saturday with Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Woods was quick to nominate "Tiger Woods" in third person after Internationals captain Ernie Els chose to lead off with the US-born Ancer.

Earlier, after resting himself from Saturday morning's fourballs, Woods shocked even Els when he also opted not to take part in the afternoon foursomes despite his team trailing 9-5 and the Cup seemingly slipping away.

Woods had been expected to play at least one match, especially after teaming with Justin Thomas for two wins on Thursday and Friday.

But to the disappointment of the massive crowds lining the course the global superstar opted out.

"You have to do what's best for the team, and I'm getting ready for the singles tomorrow," Woods said.

He admitted he wavered on the decision.

"I tried to talk myself out of it ... but, you know, it is what it is, and we're going to go out there and try and get some points today and be ready for tomorrow."

The 43-year-old, who has a history of serious back issues, denied he was injured.

He said pre-tournament he didn't plan to play in all five sessions and was sticking to his guns on Saturday night.

"We've had numerous plans going into this week. My obligation as a player was to play two matches - one team match and one singles," Woods said.

"We've had different scenarios, different pairings and different things happen. That's just part of playing team matches.

"We've had a good formula for this event, and unfortunately we're down 8-10, but we're excited about tomorrow and getting after it.

"At one point (late on Saturday) it looked like we were going to be down 1-9."

WHO PLAYS WHO IN SATURDAY AFTERNOON'S FOURSOME MATCHES AT THE PRESIDENTS CUP AT ROYAL MELBOURNE?

Start time: TBA (depending on end time of round 3)

Match one: Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen (Internationals) v Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (USA)

Match two: Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer (Internationals) v Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler (USA)

Match three: Cameron Smith and Sungjae Im (Internationals) v Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (USA)

Match four: Byeong An and Joaquin Niemann (Internationals) v Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau (USA)

American golf fans were left asking how Abraham Ancer wasn't playing for the US Presidents Cup team after he continued their misery at Royal Melbourne.

Ancer was born in Texas and studied in Oklahoma but plays under the Mexican flag, making him eligible for the Internationals.

Pre tournament Cup veteran Adam Scott nominated the debutant as a potential match-winner and Ancer lived up to that billing, banking a second impressive win over the highly-rated US team.

The 28-year-old combined with Australia's Marc Leishman to trounce divisive Texan Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson three and two.

On day one he and South African Louis Oosthuizen hammered Gary Woodland and Dustin Johnson four and three.

Ancer's putting in the foursomes was faultless - the highlight a 12 metre birdie putt on the eighth.

The 2018 Australian Open champion and runner-up in last year's World Cup played at nearby Metropolitan club, Ancer said he felt right at home in Australia.

"I love it here - last year was my first time here and I had some great results," he said.

Leishman said the world No.39 may have caught some rivals by surprise.

"From the outside people probably don't expect him to win and that's maybe an asset in something like this," Leishman said.

"You've got to love the spotlight and he certainly does.

"He's such a good putter and loves being in the heat of the battle."

Cameron Smith doesn't understand why he had been shouldered by controversial US golfer Patrick Reed but prefers to talk about his bittersweet Presidents Cup debut.

Smith and Reed's bad blood bubbled over on the opening day after the Texan walked off the fifth green and targeted the Australian, clashing shoulders.

Smith, who was watching after being left out of day one's play, said he wasn't sure why.

"Yeah, I'm not really sure what it was about, to be honest," Smith said.

"I mean, I haven't said anything wrong.

"I just don't want to really talk about it anymore," he said.

"I think it's all said and done - let's just get on with our job and try and play the Presidents Cup."

Their friendship turned sour last week after Smith described Reed's actions in a bunker at a tournament as cheating and his justification as "bulls**t".

Smith did his best to make it about the golf on Friday, combining with young Korean Sungjae Im to tie with US duo Gary Woodland and Rickie Fowler.

The world No.58 said he was "amped" after being made to wait an extra day to play, and that was evident in his start.

With the format requiring alternate shots, Smith iced the first two holes.

Smith chipped in to birdie the par-4 first and repeated the impressive feat on the par-5 second, rolling in an eight-metre putt from off the green for his team to go two up.

That lead alternated between one and two until the the 17th when the Americans levelled with a birdie and Im's match-winner on the last just missed the mark.

Smith said he was pleased with his debut.

"We played really well all day and we stuck to our guns," the 26-year-old said.

"Rickie and Gary played really good golf the last four or five holes to get it back to square, and we almost got them there on the last.

"I think it was a good day."

Reed's misery continued with his second loss, with he and Webb Simpson falling short against Marc Leishman and Abraham Ancer.

The 2018 Masters champion came in for plenty of taunts from the bulging galleries at Royal Melbourne.

Reed gave as good as he got when he sank a birdie putt on the 11th and put his hand to his ear as if to ask the crowd where his cheers were before motioning shovelling.

SNAPSHOT OF DAY TWO OF THE PRESIDENTS CUP:

PLAYER OF THE DAY: Abraham Ancer - the first Mexican player to qualify for the Presidents Cup, Ancer continues his love affair with Australia. Winner of the 2018 Australian Open and runner-up in the 2018 World Cup, also held on the sandbelt, Ancer couldn't miss with his putter. He and Marc Leishman combined to secure an emphatic win against Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed.

STAT OF THE DAY: Three points. Still the biggest lead the Internationals have had after day two since their sole victory in 1998, which also came at Royal Melbourne.

SHOT OF THE DAY: After being in the headlines for his criticism of Patrick Reed, a fired-up Cameron Smith chipped in from off the green on his first Presidents Cup hole.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Sometimes it bites you. Put a spear in it and bite back." Ernie Els on his message to his players after the US snatched two-and-a-half of the last three points of the day to gain some desperately needed momentum.

CUP SUMMARY: The Internationals lead the USA 6.5 to 3.5 entering Saturday's double, eight-match session. But it looked like they'd take a much bigger advantage - potentially even a 9-1 stranglehold - after winning the opening two foursomes and leading in the other three matches before the US clinched two crucial points with last-hole birdie putts from Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. Somewhat surprisingly, Tiger Woods has opted to sit out Saturday morning's fourballs despite winning both his matches with Thomas so far. But the captain is sticking solid with the winless pairing of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson.

WHO PLAYS WHO IN SATURDAY'S FOURBALL MATCHES AT THE PRESIDENTS CUP AT ROYAL MELBOURNE:

Starting at 7.02am:

Match one: Haotong Li and Marc Leishman (Internationals) v Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas (USA)

Match two: Abraham Ancer and Sungjae Im (Internationals) v Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (USA)

Match three: CT Pan and Hideki Matsuyama (Internationals) v Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (USA)

Match four: Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (Internationals) v Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau (USA).