Americans race to the early lead

Phil Mickelson pulled Woody Austin into his arms to celebrate another clutch putt from the 43-year-old rookie in the Presidents Cup, then they walked to the edge of the 18th green to see if it would be good enough for another American victory Thursday at Montreal.

Mike Weir had chipped to 3 1/2 feet, certainly no gimme for his partner Vijay Singh.

The Canadian crowd that had cheered so wildly for Weir and the International team grew silent, enough for Mickelson to hear that familiar high-pitched tone of U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus.

“What do you want to do with [his] putt?” Nicklaus asked.

Mickelson understood the question to be a directive, and he didn’t hesitate to concede the putt and halve the match.

It was the most poignant moment Thursday at Royal Montreal, a day filled with gray skies and American red numbers on the scoreboard. The concession assured the International team a half-point, and it turned out to be the only thing it earned in the biggest opening-session rout in seven years at the Presidents Cup.

With clutch play from rookies Austin and Lucas Glover, and solid play from Mickelson and Tiger Woods, the Americans took a 5 1/2 - 1/2 lead in the six alternate-shot matches to seize early control of these matches.

“Our guys were sensational today,” Nicklaus said. “They finished the matches. They played great. And I’m happy that Mike Weir from Canada got on the board.”

Nicklaus made sure of that, although Mickelson believes Singh would have made the putt.

It was typical coming from Nicklaus, who conceded a putt about the same length to Tony Jacklin in the 1969 Ryder Cup that allowed those matches to end in a draw. That gesture became a symbol of sportsmanship in matches between countries and continents.

“Captain Nicklaus was right. It was the right thing to do,” Mickelson said after he and Austin rallied from three down over the final seven holes in a match in which only six holes were halved. “It was a hard-fought battle. There didn’t need to be a winner or a loser.”

Then again, this was only Thursday. And it was clear the Americans were in charge.

It was the biggest blowout in the opening session since the U.S. won all five matches in 2000 on its way to the most lopsided victory in the short history of the Presidents Cup.

Briny Baird birdied four of his first five holes and set the first-round record at the Viking Classic with a nine-under-par 63, taking a two-stroke lead over former champion Cameron Beckman at Madison, Miss.

Baird, who had 10 birdies and a bogey, hit 17 of 18 greens at Annandale Golf Club. Three of his early birdie putts were from three feet or less.

Defending champion D.J. Trahan was at 66 along with Steve Lowery and David Branshaw. Lightning suspended play for 2 hours 41 minutes in the afternoon and 55 players were on the course when play was called for the day because of darkness.

Lorena Ochoa opened her bid for a fourth consecutive LPGA victory with a six-under 66, but Stacy Prammanasudh took the lead with a late-afternoon 63 in the first round of the inaugural Navistar Classic at Prattville, Ala. Lindsey Wright and Virada Nirapathpongporn had 67s.