A late rally from the International team kept the United States’ Presidents Cup lead at just one point heading into the weekend after the fourball matches in San Francisco.

The United States took an early lead in foursomes over the International team at Harding Park as the Presidents Cup got underway in San Francisco.

Phil Mickelson will not let a sore back dampen his excitement at leading off the United States’ Presidents Cup defence alongside Ryder Cup playing partner Anthony Kim tonight in San Francisco.

FOR the longest time, Tiger Woods was simply part of the crowd.

Colin Montgomerie will continue his worldwide odyssey this week within sight of an eighth Order of Merit title.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE moved closer to an incredible eighth Order of Merit title despite narrowly missing out on a play-off in the American Express Championship.

Colin Montgomerie will have to overturn a one-shot deficit to win his second tournament in seven days in the €6.1m American Express Championship.

Luke Donald today finally found his putting touch in the third round of the £4.2m (€6.1m) American Express Championship.

A jet-lagged Colin Montgomerie (pictured) breathed a sigh of relief after remaining in contention for his first strokeplay title on American soil in the €6.1m American Express Championship.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE was relieved to remain in contention for his first strokeplay title on American soil after the second round of the £4.2 million (€6.1m) American Express Championship.

Colin Montgomerie was battling to hold on to the lead in the American Express Championship as Tiger Woods made an explosive move up the leaderboard.

Colin Montgomerie was today battling to hold on to the lead on the second day of the American Express Championship in San Francisco.

Colin Montgomerie found his overnight lead quickly under attack on the second day of the American Express Championship in San Francisco.

Colin Montgomerie has a first strokeplay victory on American soil in his sights after a stunning opening round in the American Express Championship.

An in-form Colin Montgomerie is targeting his second title in seven days after storming into a three-shot lead after the first round of the American Express Championship in San Francisco.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE carried on from where he left off to set a blistering pace in the American Express Championship in San Francisco.

Colin Montgomerie carried on from where he left off to set a blistering pace in the American Express Championship in San Francisco.

Colin Montgomerie carried on from where he left off on Sunday to set the pace in the American Express Championship in San Francisco.

Tiger Woods made a flying start to his bid to claim an 11th win in 21 World Golf Championships events in San Francisco.

Tiger Woods made a flying start to his bid to claim an 11th win in 21 World Golf Championships events in San Francisco.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE has space in his cabinet for one more Order of Merit trophy - and believes he is finally ready to fill it.

Thomas Bjorn was second in last year’s American Express Championship but admits there is no chance of a repeat performance in San Francisco this week.

Tiger Woods has declared himself fully fit for his return to action in the American Express Championship in San Francisco this week.

Colin Montgomerie will lead the European challenge for a first victory in the American Express Championship this week following his triumph in the Dunhill Links Championship.

THESE are hectic times for Europe’s top golfers, many of whom have contested the HSBC World Match Play Championship, the Seve Trophy and the Dunhill Links in successive weeks.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON is intent on building up a “war chest” of Ryder Cup points between now and December when he will take his customary nine-week break from competitive golf.