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United States set record lead

The United States stormed in to a record 5 1/2 point lead over the International team after the opening-day foursomes at the …

Fri Sept 28 2007 - 01:00

The United States stormed in to a record 5 1/2 point lead over the International team after the opening-day foursomes at the Presidents Cup.

The Americans made just about the perfect start, winning five matches and halving the other on a bleak day for the Internationals at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Quebec

Four matches were very close, finishing on the 18th hole - but that was little consolation to Gary Player's International team, a collection of the best players from outside Europe - even if they didn't look like it coming down the stretch.

Even in the only match the Americans did not win, they had a heroic touch about them.  Woody Austin - who played with Phil Mickelson - sank a 13-foot putt to finish all square with Mike Weir and Vijay Singh.

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Tiger Woods played solidly with partner Charles Howell III to beat his Australian matchplay nemisis Nick O'Hern and Korean star KJ Choi 3 & 1.

And in the USA's other wins, Presidents Cup first-timer Hunter Mahan and Steve Stricker beat the Australian duo of Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy 3 and 2.

Stewart Cink and a second new cap and Masters champion, Zach Johnson, edged South Africa's Rory Sabbatini and Trevor Immelman 1-up.

David Toms and Jim Furyk squeezed past the International team's No 1 Ernie Els and US Open champion Angel Cabrera to win 1-up.

Another Cup debutant, Lucas Glover, and Scott Verplank beat the seasoned Australian-South African pairing of Stuart Appleby and Retief Goosen 2-up

"Our guys were sensational today," a beaming US captain Jack Nicklaus said afterwards - despite the fact that he could have expected his team to be in front.

The US has traditionally dominated the opening day foursomes in the Presidents Cup

In the seven Cup clashes played to date, it holds a 27-11 advantage after the first day of competition.

"We're a long ways away from the end of this thing. There are so many points (28) still available," said Woods.

"In the Second session tomorrow, you know they are going to come out with some of their best pairings and top guys early and try to turn this thing around."