US bank on home comfort for Presidents Cup
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-22 09:09

However, the Internationals gained significant revenge when the matches were shifted to Melbourne in December 1998.

With Thomson back at the helm, the host team hammered the Jack Nicklaus-led Americans by 20-1/2 points to 11-1/2, giving the competition a much-needed shot in the arm.

The fourth edition returned to the inaugural venue in 2000 amid much anticipation that the Internationals, inspired by Nick Price, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els, could level the series.

But the U.S., boosted by a red-hot start in the opening day foursomes which put them 5-0 up, went into the last-day singles needing just 2-1/2 points to seal victory and regain the trophy.

David Duval won the second match 2 and 1 against Price, Loren Roberts completed a 3 and 2 win over Australia's Stuart Appleby in match three and Love clinched the cup by beating the then world number two Els 4 and 3 in match five.

TROPHY REGAINED

The U.S. ended up winning seven of the 12 singles encounters, with one halved, to take back the Presidents Cup by 21-1/2 points to 10-1/2.

Three years later, honours were shared after four riveting days of fluctuating fortunes.

The Americans went into the last day trailing by three points but 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk inspired a fightback in the first singles match out with a 3 and 1 victory over U.S. Masters winner Mike Weir of Canada.

Woods, displaying his best form of the week, beat Els 4 and 3 and Chris DiMarco won the penultimate tie one up against Australia's Stuart Appleby to leave the teams level on 16-1/2 points with just one match out on the course.

As dusk fast approached, Love halved with Australia's Robert Allenby and Woods and Els then parred the first three extra holes in an unprecedented playoff for the title before the captains agreed the trophy would be shared for the first time.

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