Presidents Cup: Big day for International Team in Montreal

MONTREAL - A bunker shot Friday shifted the momentum of the 2007 Presidents Cup, and when the day was finished, Jack Nicklaus’ American Team seemed battered and bruised, even as it clung to a two point lead over the International Team.

Vijay Singh holed out from a bunker on the 444-yard par-4 first to give himself and teammate Stuart Appleby an early lead in their four-ball match against Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk. That kick-started a round that saw Singh and Appleby record seven birdies, two eagles and get to 11-under-par through through 14 holes, when they dismissed Woods and Furyk 5 and 4.

“It was a very very important start, psychologically. It got the momentum going,” International Team Captain Gary Player said.

Indeed, it did. The International Team went on to win four of the day’s six matches on the Blue Course here at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, a trouncing that seemed like the perfect reply to Thursday’s opening round, which saw the United States take a commanding early lead, collecting 5 1/2 points to the International Team’s half point.

The United States still leads the Presidents Cup seven points to five.

Presidents Cup Four-ball results

Angel Cabrera/Retief Goosen (International) def. Phil Mickelson/Hunter Mahan (U.S.) 1 up
Vijay Singh/Stuart Appleby (International ) def. Tiger Woods/Jim Furyk (U.S.) 5 and 4
Ernie Els/Mike Weir (International) def. Zach Johnson/Charles Howell (U.S.) III 3 and 1
Steve Stricker/Scott Verplank (U.S.) def. Adam Scott/ K.J. Choi (International) 2 and 1
Geoff Ogilvy/Nick O’Hern (Interntional) def. Stewart Cink/Lucas Glover (U.S.) 1 up
Woody Austin/David Toms (U.S.) halved with Trevor Immelman/Rory Sabbatini (International)