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Tiger Clinches Presidents Cup For U.S.
posted 10/12/09 3:01 am
ABC 7 News - Tiger Clinches Presidents Cup For U.S.
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(Sports Network) - Tiger Woods can cross another accomplishment of his career "to-do" list.

On Sunday, he clinched the Presidents Cup for the Americans with a 6 & 5 victory over the man who beat him two months ago in the final round of the PGA Championship, Y.E. Yang.

That point gave the U.S. the 17 1/2 it needed for victory.

Woods had never clinched a win for his team in 10 previous Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup appearances. His huge victory also gave Woods a perfect 5-0 record for the week.

"I did not know at all because last time I saw the board, we were down six matches, so I figured that I could handle my match and just worry about that," said Woods. "I did pretty good coming in."

"I couldn't be happier for him and for me to have him win the point," said American captain Fred Couples.

The final score was 19 1/2 - 14 1/2.

It marked the third straight Presidents Cup win for the Americans and sixth overall in eight tries. The Internationals, who won in 1998 and played to a tie in 2003, will try to wrest back the Cup in two years at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia.

"Every time we play, we want to win. If you look back on it, it's a tremendous success as far as I'm concerned because of the 12 guys," said International captain Greg Norman.

Phil Mickelson completed an undefeated week. In the last match to finish on Sunday, the world No. 2 took out two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, 2 & 1.

Mickelson went 4-0-1 for the competition.

"It was a fun week. I'm really happy to be part of this team," said Mickelson.

The International team trailed 12 1/2 - 9 1/2 with the 12 singles matches ahead and needed a big start Sunday for momentum purposes.

It didn't get it.

Hunter Mahan lost the first two holes to Camilo Villegas, but came back by the turn to take the lead. He earned a 2 & 1 victory, but British Open champion Stewart Cink earned the first American point with a 4 & 3 victory over Adam Scott in match two. Scott, a controversial pick by Norman after a terrible season, finished 1-4 in the competition.

The next two points for the U.S. came from Anthony Kim, who trounced Robert Allenby, 5 & 3, and Sean O'Hair, who destroyed Ernie Els, 6 & 4, to get the Americans within a point of winning the Cup.

That's where Woods came in.

He won the 11th hole to move 5-up with seven to play. Woods and Yang halved the 12th with par, then Yang missed his birdie effort at the par-four 13th.

Woods studied his seven-footer for birdie, which would give him the win and the U.S. the Cup.

He poured in the putt to preserve his perfect week, win his country and team the Presidents Cup and maybe get some revenge over Yang, who became the first player ever to beat Woods in a major when Woods had a piece of the 54-hole lead.

"He got me there and I figured I could get him here," Woods said. "It certainly was not exactly the same atmosphere, but then it still was an important point."

After Woods clinched, Justin Leonard and Mike Weir halved the third match. Per the rules, there are playoff holes for any singles match where it's all-square after 18 and the Cup hasn't been decided. Leonard and Weir waited by the 18th green to watch a video screen of Woods bringing home the Cup for the U.S.

Steve Stricker lost his chance to join his partner Woods with a 5-0 record. Geoff Ogilvy got the Internationals their first point Sunday with a 2 & 1 victory.

Tim Clark continued his excellent form. He made eight birdies on Sunday and handled Zach Johnson, 4 & 3.

Ryo Ishikawa, the 18-year-old captain's pick, completed a very strong Presidents Cup debut with a 2 & 1 win over the oldest player in the competition, Kenny Perry.

Ishikawa went 3-2 for the week.

"I'm very happy," said Ishikawa. "It was not easy to win the match. It was a great experience for me."

The anchor match went to the reigning Masters champion. Angel Cabrera got the Internationals another point when he toppled Jim Furyk, 4 & 3.



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