The Presidents Cup got underway on Thursday with an entertaining day of golf and a solid day from the Americans, who have a one point lead over the European team after a strong day from partners Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar, who will play together again on Friday in foursomes.
Woods had a very good day driving the ball and on top of that, the team was lifted by a mascot found by Davis Love III in a little squirrel, which Woods' girlfriend Lindsey Vonn couldn't help but play with, putting the little creature on Woods' shoulder at the end of the day. The team is taking a 3½-2½ lead into Friday and Jordan Spieth helped things out at the end of the day, as he and Steve Stricker saved par on their last hole to finish things out.
Click here for streaming coverage of the Presidents Cup From Sports World Report.
The Americans played consistently all day and did not fall behind against the International team early on in the day and they also were leaving a handful when things were delayed in the afternoon. Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker fell to Jason Day and Graham DeLaet while the team of Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel were able to beat Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson for their first loss on the event.
According to ESPN.com, the American team was able to win out in fourballs for the first time in 10 years and now Muirfield will have the teams again on Friday. Woods has traditionally played better in Presidents Cup play than the Ryder Cup and he added his 21st career win on Thursday, with girlfriend Vonn watching once again. Vonn has been with Woods at many tournaments and many have felt that is one reason why he has played well all year.
President George W. Bush was in attendance as well and the matchups will get started at 1:10 PM on Friday from Muirfield Village in Ohio. The international team was able to rally at the end of the day to keep things close and Woods was able to pull through with Kuchar for a 5-and-4 victory and Woods said that he hopes the strong play can continue on Friday.
Woods already won PGA tour Player of the year this season and he has won five times on tour. Woods was solid on the greens and looked comfortable playing with Kuchar and now they will get another chance to go at it.
