Michael Campbell had a slightly shakier day and was the target of heckling - but more fine play from Retief Goosen and Adam Scott helped the International team keep their slim lead over the United States at 6 1/2-5 1/2 after better-ball matches in the Presidents Cup yesterday.
Tiger Woods
cracked his duck - his first fourball win in the Presidents Cup after seven tries - while Goosen and Scott remained perfect in the tournament, beating Fred Couples and David Toms 3+1. Australians Peter Lonard and Nick O'Hern beat Davis Love III and Kenny Perry 3+2 while Woods, battling a sore back, and Jim Furyk beat Australian Stuart Appleby and Mark Hensby 3+2. Americans Justin Leonard and Scott Verplank are also unbeaten after defeating Mike Weir and Trevor Immelman 2+1.
All the other matches were halved - Campbell and Argentina's Angel Cabrera finished all square with Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco, who staged a late rally in a hard-fought encounter; Vijay Singh and Tim Clark also settled for a half with Fred Funk and Stewart Cink.
Campbell and Singh both failed to capitalise on great opportunities at the 18th hole. Campbell's wedge to the 18th hit the pin and rolled back into the rough, then his wedge rimmed in and out. Singh put a wedge into three feet for birdie on the 17th to square their match, but missed a 15-ft birdie putt to win it at the last.
The crowd warmed up to the action, especially after a storm delay as all the matches were on the back nine. The fans were far more vocal in the afternoon, as loud cheers rang out at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, with only murmurs and grudging applause whenever the International team made a putt.
Some even cheered when Campbell missed an eight-foot birdie putt to stay one up on the 17th hole. "That's all part of the game over here in America," the New Zealander said.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
