U.S. win shares spotlight with Weir beating Woods

By Doug Ferguson
Associated Press


MONTREAL The Presidents Cup didn't end in another tie, but it sure felt that way yesterday.

The Americans celebrated another victory, taking more than enough singles matches at Royal Montreal to make a winner out of captain Jack Nicklaus again and capture their first cup on international soil in 14 years.

Even more rowdier were those Canadians crammed into the bleachers and pressed against the ropes, waving the Maple Leaf flag, cheering and chanting at every turn as their beloved Mike Weir won the last two holes to take down Tiger Woods.

"When he won on 18, you could hear it all the way to Kansas City," International captain Gary Player said.

The final cheer was for the consolation prize.

The Presidents Cup went to a United States team that was overwhelming in the team matches and good enough in singles for its second straight victory over the International team, 19 1/2 -14 1/2 .

David Toms earned the most points. Scott Verplank won all four of his matches. Woody Austin drew the most laughter, falling into a lake on the 14th hole Friday and making fun of himself by wearing a swimming mask as he walked down the same fairway yesterday.

As usual, the inspiration and laughs came from Nicklaus, a seven-time runner-up at the Canadian Open who finally left the Great White North with a shiny gold trophy.

"I've always loved playing for Jack, and hopefully, he'll come back," Woods said. "He's the greatest player of all time, and to have him as your captain to lead us, it doesn't get any better than that."

The Canadians found something equally special.

The cheers were relentless on a spectacular autumn day, and they carried the former Masters champion from a sudden collapse to an unlikely victory. Woods was 1 up with two holes to play when Weir made a 10-foot birdie putt to win the 17th, then watched as Woods pulled a tee shot that splashed into a pond -- right in front of a Canadian flag that fans were holding behind the ropes.

"It's mixed emotions for sure," Weir said. "Our team didn't win. I won a point. It's only one point."

But what a point it was.

Woods beat Greg Norman when the Presidents Cup was in Australia, and he beat Ernie Els in South Africa four years ago. Weir only made the team as a captain's pick, but he was the International team's best player -- especially yesterday.

"Obviously, winning the Masters was such a thrill," Weir said. "But to play Tiger ... he's the best player there is, and I had to play my absolute best today to beat him."

Woods and Weir shared a hug on the 18th green after Woods conceded the hole as the gallery filled the air with chants of "Mike! Mike! Mike!"

"I told him I was proud of how he handled himself," Woods said. "He had to carry an entire country on his shoulders. Not too many people can play as well as he did. He handled it magnificently."

The Americans were superb, too.

Verplank completed a 4-0 week with birdies on the 16th and 17th to beat Rory Sabbatini, 2 and 1. Phil Mickelson hammered Vijay Singh, closing him out on the 14th hole while wearing soft spikes. Stewart Cink delivered the cup-clinching point after birdies on the first five holes led to a 6-and-4 victory over Nick O'Hern.

"We came into this week with a little score to settle up in the international golf arena," Cink said. "I think we showed everybody that we can play again."