Internationals turn tables to grab lead

AT one stage on the back nine it looked like Jack Nicklaus’s US team might end the day with a comfortable 5-1 lead after the opening foursomes yesterday in the fifth edition of the Presidents Cup.

But a remarkable turnaround saw Gary Player's International team stage a comeback over the closing holes on the long, brutal links at the Fancourt course to turn the tables for a 3½-2½ opening day lead.

Mike Weir and Nick Price of the Internationals were one down with two to play against Phil Mickelson and David Toms but holed clutch putts at the 17, where Price did the honours with a 12-footer, and 18, where Weir succeeded with a tricky downhill attempt of about six feet, for a couple of closing birdies. Mickelson and Toms could only manage a couple of pars and the Internationals were home and dry with a one-hole victory for a precious point.