Posted on 09/25/2005 6:34:43 PM PDT by nypokerface
GAINESVILLE, United States (AFP) - Chris DiMarco sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to beat Stuart Appleby 1-up and give the US team an 18 1/2-15 1/2 victory over the Internationals at the Presidents Cup.
No US golf team of PGA talent had won a trophy outright since the Americans won this event in 2000, losing the past two Ryder Cups and playing to a 17-17 Presidents Cup draw in 2003 at South Africa.
But DiMarco ended the drought in dramatic fashion, blasting his second shot at the final hole from the right rough and sinking the pressure-packed putt to edge the Australian and secure on outright American triumph.
"This is unbelievable. I'm so happy," DiMarco said. "I just can't wait for that first six pack of beer."
US captain Jack Nicklaus, who made an emotional competitive farewell at the British Open, won his first Presidents Cup after a prior loss and draw.
"It feels a lot better to have a win," Nicklaus said. "I may never captain another team. I may never play another round of golf. If I end my career this way, what a way to end it."
History was against the Internationals when the final day began level 11-11. No US team had ever lost a Presidents Cup on home soil and the Internationals had never outscored the Americans in singles.
"That putt Chris holed at the last, I take my hat off to the USA," said Internationals captain Gary Player of South Africa. "Our guys played well. Their guys just played better."
Third-ranked Phil Mickelson, 0-3 with two halved in prior Presidents Cup singles matches, finished all square with Argentina's 11th-ranked Angel Cabrera after mistakenly thinking he had clinched the trophy for the US team.
Cabrera sank an eight-foot birdie putt at the 17th to take his first lead of the match, but Mickelson answered with a four-foot birdie at 18 to force extra holes under a new system instituted this year.
Mickelson shook hands with Cabrera on the 18th green, then was shocked - eyes widened and mouth gaping - to learn it was not over. They went to a 19th hole but the match was declared halved after DiMarco clinched for the US team.
"Captain Nicklaus said there were no halves, but I didn't quite grasp what that meant," Mickelson said.
After Tiger Woods and Ernie Els deadlocked in a 2003 playoff that ran into darkness, the format was scrapped in favor of one where all singles matches are played until one man wins as long as the Cup is in doubt.
The US Presidents Cup squad included nine of the 12 Americans who suffered the worst US loss in Ryder Cup history last year to Europe, while the global squad lacked Els, the South African absent while recovering from knee surgery.
US captain's pick Fred Couples, eight days shy of his 46th birthday, made a 20-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to beat world number two Vijay Singh 1-up in a pivotal match. Couples had asked to face Singh in the singles showdown.
"It was huge. To hole that putt, it meant a lot," Couples said. "Is he going to beat me eight out of 10 times? I think so. In a one-day time, I think I have just as good a shot as anyone."
It was deja vu for Couples, who sank a long putt on the 17th hole here in 1996 to beat Singh 2 and 1 and win the Cup. Singh was 2-down after 11 without a birdie but won holes with his only birdies to set up Couples' winning putt.
Davis Love clinched no worse than a share of the trophy from the Americans by downing Aussie Nick O'Hern 4 and 3.
But Love was excited for his pal Couples, whose eight-foot miss at the 18th in a four-ball match Saturday forced the US team to win seven singles matches instead of just six to claim the Cup.
"I had tears in my eyes putting my last birdie putt," Love said. "He really wanted to win this match. I'm thrilled for him."
Fifth-ranked Retief Goosen won the last two holes to beat world number one Woods 2 and 1 to give the Internationals their first singles victory. Goosen won holes with a 45-foot eagle and 50-foot birdie putt.
"Those big putts, when I was standing over them, I felt like I had a chance," Goosen said. "I had been making big putts all week."
Woods went the final 13 holes without a birdie, falling to 5-2 with one halved in Presidents and Ryder Cup singles matches with his first loss since the 1997 Ryder Cup.
"I had opportunities to top him or put pressure on him and I didn't do it," said Woods, who complained of back pain over the final nine holes. "Goose made a lot of putts on me, and he won the match."
Jim Furyk stayed unbeaten this week and in eight Ryder and Presidents Cup singles matches, beating Australian Adam Scott 3 and 2.
Justin Leonard, winless in five prior US team singles matches, eagled to win the 10th and 12th and beat South African Tim Clark 4 and 3, giving the US men their first lead, one they never relinquished.
David Toms and Kenny Perry, both point-less in pairs, won early. Toms beat South African Trevor Immelman 2 and 1. Perry beat Aussie Mark Hensby 4 and 3.
"I've been beat on so bad this week my butt was sore from being kicked so much," Perry said. "It was a tough week. I struggled. But today made it all worthwhile."
Allriiiight!
That was some great golf,Jack got his win,watched with no sound 'till the Support the Troops rally was over,a great Sunday.
The great thing about this format is that you have twelve top players on your side plus twelve top players on the other side out on the course, all matches are important, and all have a chance to influence the result. Compare that to the usual PGA tournament format where, by Sunday, perhaps three or four players at best have a chance to win. I can't say I would like to see this team event every week, but it is sure as hell exciting a couple times a year.
I was there Saturday and Sunday, and had a front row seat for DiMarco's putt on 18. This was probably the best event of any kind I've ever attended.
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