Golf News- Oct 1

Tiger roars back to put US on verge of Presidents Cup title

MONTREAL: Tiger Woods and David Toms crushed Australians Nick O'Hern and Geoff Ogilvy 5 and 3 in Saturday's fourballs, capping a commanding display by the United States at the seventh Presidents Cup.

After completing a rare sweep of the morning foursomes, the Americans ended a sun-drenched day at Royal Montreal Golf Club leading the Internationals by 14½ points to 7½.

With 12 points up for grabs in Sunday's singles, holders the US need only three more to claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Neither team has triumphed when coming from behind on the final day in the competition's previous six editions and the Americans are poised to taste their first victory on foreign soil.

“It's not over but things don't look too good,” Internationals captain Gary Player told reporters. “The egg is not sunny-side up.

Looking good: International team members Ernie Els (left) from South Africa and Mike Weir from Canada watch Els' drive from the ninth tee during the Presidents Cup fourball matches on Saturday. – AP
“The Americans are looking very, very good and we will really have to pull a rabbit out of the hat tomorrow.”

Player has top-loaded his singles order with his strongest players to get blue points on the board early. The fourth match out pits world number one Tiger Woods against local favourite Mike Weir.

Despite trailing early on in four of the five afternoon fourballs, the Americans ended the session on a high with two wins and half.

Following early heroics from Toms, Woods chipped in from 30 feet at the par-four eighth to put the US three up against O'Hern and Ogilvy in a match they always controlled.

Dovetailing superbly, the Americans covered their 15 holes in nine under par, Woods sealing victory by draining a 24-foot birdie putt.

Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk came from two down to beat Angel Cabrera of Argentina and South Korean KJ Choi one up in the top match.

Phil Mickelson and Woody Austin gave the Americans extra cheer with a birdie-birdie finish to halve their match against South African Retief Goosen and Australia's Adam Scott.

Weir and South African Ernie Els added a point for the Internationals with a 4 and 2 victory over Charles Howell III and Lucas Glover.

Fiji's Vijay Singh and Australian Stuart Appleby never trailed in a tight contest with Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan, leading by three after 11 holes before winning one up.

The US had strengthened their hold on the trophy by sweeping Saturday morning's foursomes 5-0 to forge 12-5 ahead. – Reuters