Woods sinks vital putt as Americans take Presidents Cup

Published on Sunday 11 October 2009 23:26

TIGER Woods ended the week with a perfect record at the Presidents Cup by sinking the winning putt for the United States in yesterday's singles matches.

The world No 1 calmly rolled in a six-footer on the 13th green to beat South Korea's Yang Yong-eun 6&5 as the Americans triumphed for a sixth time in eight editions of the biennial team competition.

Leading the Internationals by 12.5 points to 9.5 going into the final day at a chilly and overcast Harding Park, the hosts needed only five more points from the 12 on offer. They ended up winning six matches and halving two to beat their opponents by 19.5 points to 14.5.

Stewart Cink, Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim and Sean O'Hair put early points on the board to leave the US on the brink of victory before Woods took centre stage. The 14-times major champion ended his week with a flawless 5-0 record but was unaware his success against Yang had secured the trophy for his team.

"All I knew was I was trying to get my point and I was five up trying to make it six," Woods said after recording five birdies in 13 holes. "I didn't look at any boards. I saw we were down six matches at one point so I just kept my head down and tried to extend my own lead.

"We played great as a team and the captain did some great pairings," added Woods, referring to his skipper Fred Couples.

"He put us together with some guys that we knew we could play really well with, and the guys made putts this week. All in all, I'm very proud of the guys."

Open champion Cink crushed Australian Adam Scott 4&3 in the second match out before Mahan came from two down after four holes to scrape past Camilo Villegas 2&1.

Moments later, Kim wrapped up a 5&3 win over Australian Robert Allenby before O'Hair, boosted by four birdies, thumped South African Ernie Els 6&4. Justin Leonard, one down after 17 holes, battled back to square his match with Canadian Mike Weir, leaving the Americans a half-point from winning the trophy for a third successive time.

Woods, surprisingly overhauled by Yang at this year's US PGA Championship, made no mistake with his opportunity on the 13th green to end his match against the Korean. The first full point of the day for the Internationals was secured by Australian Geoff Ogilvy who beat world No 3 Steve Stricker 2&1.

"It's a consolation prize, I guess," Ogilvy said after sealing his win with a birdie at the 17th. "But I'm disappointed for the team.

The most scintillating performance of the day came from diminutive South African Tim Clark who rattled up eight birdies to beat 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson 4&3.

Johnson fought bravely after the turn, reeling off five birdies in six holes from the tenth but was able to outscore his opponent only once. "I'm five under and I don't even get to see the last three holes," a smiling Johnson said. "He just out played me early on, especially, and that's really all it took."