MELBOURNE, Australia -- The first day of the Presidents Cup didn't go as planned for the United States. The romp to victory that was widely expected was derailed for now, and the Americans find themselves in a hole for the first time in seemingly forever in the 13th playing of the competition, trailing 4-1.
You have to go back to 2005 to find the last time the Internationals won an opening session. And that year's second session marks the last time they led.
For captain Ernie Els, it could not have gone much better. Getting out to a lead was imperative and should give his team with seven rookies confidence as well as a jolt to veterans such as Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama, Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman.