George, South Africa, Nov 19: The US have won on all the three occasions that the Presidents Cup has been held on American soil, but the internationals tasted victory the first time the event was moved abroad --- to Australia, in December 1998.
With Australian Peter Thomson back at the helm as non-playing captain for the internationals, the host team hammered the Nicklaus-led Americans by 20-1/2 points to 11-1/2, giving the competition a much-needed shot in the arm.
The 2003 Presidents Cup, which will comprise 34 matches, starts on Thursday with the opening six foursomes encounters. Friday will feature five fourball matches in the morning, followed by five foursome matches in the afternoon.
Six fourball matches will be played on Saturday before the trophy is decided over the closing 12 singles matches on Sunday.
The US won the 2000 Presidents Cup with a commanding 21-1/2 to 10-1/2 victory at Lake Manassas, Virginia.



The Presidents Cup, created in 1994 to give the world's best non-European players the chance to take part in international team match-play competition, pits a 12-man team from the United States against international players from outside Europe.


Bureau Report