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MONTREAL - Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan led the way as Presidents Cup holders the United States dominated today's opening golf foursomes to lead the Internationals by 5-1/2 points to a half.
Stricker and Mahan, in the first match out at an overcast Royal Montreal Golf Club, outclassed Australian duo Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy 3&2.
The Americans raced three up after five holes and, despite twice having their lead trimmed to one, sealed victory at the par-four 16th where Stricker rolled in an 11-foot birdie putt.
"We got off to a good start, got up early and played well down the stretch," a beaming Stricker told reporters.
US captain Jack Nicklaus added: "Our guys were sensational and I was very happy with that first day."
In the final match, world No 1 Tiger Woods and Charles Howell III came back from one down after four holes to beat Internationals duo K.J. Choi of South Korea and Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern 3&1.
Former major winners David Toms and Jim Furyk charged three ahead with a sparkling display before holding off a late fightback by South African Ernie Els and Argentina's Angel Cabrera to win one up.
Three up after 13 holes, the Americans lost the 14th and 15th before triumphing with matching bogeys at the last.
US duo Lucas Glover and Scott Verplank birdied 15 and 16 before winning two up against Australia's Stuart Appleby and South African Retief Goosen in the day's penultimate match.
Americans Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson edged a fluctuating encounter with South Africans Rory Sabbatini and Trevor Immelman one up after the teams had been level with one hole to play.
In the most gripping contest of the first day, Americans Phil Mickelson and Woody Austin halved with Fijian Vijay Singh and local favourite Mike Weir of Canada after going two up early on and then trailing by three after 11 holes.
"It was a hard-fought battle," said three-times major winner Mickelson. "We were three down through 11 and Woody made an 18-foot putt on 12 that really jump started us."
The US have dominated the first six editions of the Presidents Cup, winning four times including a thrilling victory in 2005 by 18-1/2 points to 15-1/2 in Lake Manassas, Virginia.
The only success for the Internationals came in 1998 when the event was staged in Melbourne. In 2003, the two teams battled to a 17-17 draw in South Africa.
- REUTERS