Woods, Stricker lead way in SF

SAN FRANCISCO — Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker were dominant in a different format at the President's Cup, winning so handily that they were the last match to tee off and among the first to finish. Phil Mickelson had a different partner and got the same result, closing out his match before reaching the 17th tee.

The Americans were ahead in five of six matches at some point on the back nine, but the fourball sessions wound up in a draw, with the teams splitting the six matches. The American lead remained one point, 6 1/2-5 1/2.

"We watched the board a little bit and we knew all the of matches were within or two, except for a couple of them, so we knew if we could turn it around... there's still a lot of golf to play," said the International team's Mike Weir.

Weir and Ernie Els won the final three holes for a 2-up victory, the clinching shot by Weir from the base of the bleachers and onto the green at the par-5 18th for an eagle that was conceded.

Tim Clark rolled in a 15-foot eagle as he and Singh won the last two holes for a 1-up victory over Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink.

Of the five matches that have gone the distance, the International team has picked up 3 1/2 points.

Woods and Stricker are the only players at Harding Park who have not trailed at any point over the last two days, and they have yet to play the 16th hole in competition.

Stricker chipped in for birdie on the first hole, hit a wedge to 2 feet to take the lead for good on the par-5 fifth. Woods hit a towering approach to 5 feet on the 15th hole for a birdie that was conceded in a 5-and-3 victory.

Mickelson teamed with Anthony Kim in foursomes, and had Justin Leonard at his side in fourballs.

Leonard, who missed a 3-foot putt on the final hole Thursday event that cost the Americans a point, steadied himself quickly with a birdie on the first hole, and key birdie on the 14th for a 2-up lead, and an 8-foot birdie to close out the match, 3 and 2, over Retief Goosen and Adam Scott.