Presidents Cup Goes International

Nobody wanted another War on the Shore. Nobody expected a Massacre in Melbourne.

A hungry and relentless International team made short work of the United States on a rainy Sunday at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, winning the first two singles matches to clinch its first Presidents Cup and the first one played on International soil.

Craig Parry, who pulled off one of several stunning shots that carried the International team to a 14 1/2-5 1/2 lead after two days, steamrolled past Justin Leonard for a 5-and-3 victory. Thirty minutes later, Nick Price polished off David Duval, 2 and 1, and the celebration was on.

Barring a late charge--something they haven’t had all week--the Americans were headed for their worst loss ever in a cup.

Jim Furyk won his first match of the week, 4 and 2 over Frank Nobilo, and Scott Hoch beat Joe Ozaki, 4 and 3. Phil Mickelson needed a birdie on the last hole to halve his match with Carlos Franco of Paraguagy.

Tiger Woods and Greg Norman were tied with five holes to play. With six of the 12 singles matches completed, the International lead was 18-7. Only 16 1/2 points were required to win.

International captain Peter Thomson described the U.S. team as the “greatest collection of golfers in the world” during the opening ceremonies. Not this week. And particularly not at Royal Melbourne.

The worst loss by the United States in the Ryder Cup was 16 1/2-11 1/2 in 1985 at The Belfry, the start of European domination. Could the Presidents Cup be headed down the same path?

“After the 1996 matches, the International team wanted to show that they’re as good a group of players as any in the world,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. “I think they demonstrated that.”

The Presidents Cup was born in 1994 to give foreign players born outside Europe a chance to compete in matches styled after the Ryder Cup. The Americans won the first two played at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

Norman and the International team campaigned hard for the matches to leave the United States, and now the Americans know why.

“What a great feeling for us, especially after the last two times,” Price said after Duval conceded his par on the 17th hole. “I’m so proud of our guys. They played their tails off this week, from No. 1 right down to No. 12.”