SAN FRANCISCO — Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker became the first partnership in the Presidents Cup to go 4-0, winning twice Saturday behind an improbable rally by Woods and the pure putting of Stricker.
On the verge of defeat in morning foursomes, Woods made a 25-foot birdie putt to square the match on the 17th, then drilled a 3-iron to 8 feet on the final hole for an eagle that was conceded in a 1-up victory over Mike Weir and Tim Clark.
In afternoon fourballs, Woods only had to watch Stricker make one long birdie putt after another in a 4-and-2 victory over Y.E. Yang and 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa, the first loss for the Asian duo.
Jim Furyk and Anthony Kim held on for a 2-up victory over Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera, assuring the Americans the lead going into the final day of 12 singles matches.
The International team picked up easy victories in fourballs from Weir and Ernie Els, who had a 5-and-3 win over Zach Johnson and Justin Leonard; and Geoff Ogilvy and Robert Allenby, winning 2-and-1 over Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink.
Glover is the only American without a point going into singles.
Woods and Stricker are the first partners to go 4-0 in any team competition since Larry Nelson and Lanny Wadkins won all their matches in the 1979 Ryder Cup at The Greenbrier.
“What he did in this morning’s round made me want to do something and step up a little bit,” said Stricker, who had seven consecutive 3s on his card. “Fortunately, I was rolling it pretty well.”
The Americans, who have never lost on home soil, lead the series 5-1-1.
The International team has won only one singles session — two years ago at Royal Montreal — and the Americans have a 47 1/2-36 1/2 lead in singles.
McGowan in command
MADRID — Ross McGowan took the biggest 54-hole lead on the European Tour this year after a 12-under 60 gave him a seven-stroke advantage at the Madrid Masters.
The Englishman was at 24-under 192 after a third round that included two eagles and 10 birdies at the Centro Nacional course.
“I can’t believe it really,” McGowan said. “I just played my own game.”
McGowan could bolster his Ryder Cup prospects with his first win of the season. He is eighth in the standings.
The Associated Press
