Presidents Cup day three: Americans discover the joys of four-play

Even the Americans seem to be struggling to come to terms with their stunning success Saturday. “Good old-fashioned American teamwork,” was one paper’s rather ironic verdict. But it was teamwork, and of the highest order, in quite stark contrast to the miseries of last year at the K Club. How many times this week did the Americans snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by digging that little bit deeper?

The International players have been going round saying it’s because the Americans now play this team format, and particularly the foursomes, every year, unlike their rivals. Garry Player for one was having none of it, pointing out that so far it hasn’t seemed to help the Yanks in the Ryder Cup.

But I think the players might have a point. The foursome ‘alternate shot’ format especially is not something any pro golfer used to the singular pursuit of glory can readily attune to. So the fact that the Americans get more experience of it than anyone else must surely give them an edge. Can’t wait for Valhalla next year.

As for today’s largely meaningless singles: we were always going to have Woods v Weir, but Mickelson v Singh is an interesting surprise. I’m thinking someone may well have specifically asked for that one, and it was Nicklaus’s call. He says not however.

Best shots for International points Sunday look to be Nick O’Hern, Ernie Els, Stuart Appleby and K J Choi. As for the great finale, while Tiger’s obviously in great form, he’s never at his greatest in match play and the local hero will have the crowd behind him, or most of them anyway. As one player somewhat uniquely put it, America is just “a driving licence away". But it’s surely got to be Tiger to put the seal on a very impressive American display.

Meanwhile, down at the Viking Classic, David Branshaw, having entirely escaped attention virtually since dinosaurs roamed the earth, is suddenly in our faces 24-7 (and RonMon is right, that PGA Tour mugshot is seriously scary!). His inexperience at this level could be his undoing Sunday, but I’m not massively convinced that the trailing pack is up to the task of reining him in. Few have so far been able to find the low number it will take to do so. Even Chad Campbell may find it hard to repeat Saturday’s terrific round. But I wonder if Bill Haas doesn’t fancy his chances? He should do: all round, on paper his game has been superior to Branshaw’s. He’s certainly hitting slightly more greens and is marginally the better putter.