Australia's Adam Scott and South Korea's K.J. Choi inspired an unprecedented clean sweep by the Internationals against the United States in the Presidents Cup fourballs today.
The pair beat Kenny Perry and Jerry Kelly 5 and 4 to secure the first points of the day, setting the tone as the Internationals overhauled the US by sweeping to victory in all six better-ball matches at a sun-drenched Links course.
The Internationals had started the penultimate day three points behind the holders, but they ended it leading by 12-1/2 points to 9-1/2.
Scott and Choi birdied five of the first nine holes to go five up at the turn and, despite a chip-in for birdie by Perry at the par-four 10th, maintained their grip until sealing the win at the par-four 14th.
Australians Peter Lonard and Stephen Leaney came back from two down to beat Fred Funk and Phil Mickelson 2 and 1 before South Africans Ernie Els and Tim Clark collected the third point of the afternoon with a 3 and 2 win over Jim Furyk and Jay Haas.
"That was pretty nice," said the three-times major champion Els after preserving his unbeaten record in four outings this week. "These matches really get the nerves going."
Vijay Singh and Retief Goosen won a tight battle with world number one Tiger Woods and Charles Howell III 2 and 1 after finishing with five consecutive birdies, Singh coaxing in a 25-footer at the par-three 17th to clinch the win.
Defeat left Woods winless after six fourball appearances at the Presidents Cup, while he has won only twice in six fourball matches in the Ryder Cup.
US Masters champion Mike Weir and Australia's Robert Allenby produced flawless golf to go four up on Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard with six to play, but had to survive a strong finish by their opponents before winning by a hole.
In the final match, Zimbabwe's Nick Price and Stuart Appleby of Australia birdied three of the last four holes to beat Davis Love III and David Toms in another close encounter.
Appleby had put the Internationals one up by holing a bunker shot for eagle at the par-four 14th, and made the match safe by holing a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-five 16th.
The trophy will be decided over the closing 12 singles matches tomorrow, with both sides chasing a minimum of 17-1/2 points for victory.
Collated results on the third day of the President's Cup
Internationals 12.5 - 9.5 US
(USA Names first)
Kenny Perry & Jerry Kelly lost 5&4 toAdam Scott (Aus) & KJ Choi (Kor)
Fred Funk & Phil Mickelson lost 2&1 toPeter Lonard & Stephen Leaney (both Aus)
Jim Furyk & Jay Haas lost 3&2 toErnie Els & Tim Clark (both Rsa)
Tiger Woods & Charles Howell III lost 2&1 toRetief Goosen (Rsa) & Vijay Singh
Davis Love III & David Toms lost 2&1 toNick Price (Zim) & Stuart Appleby (Aus)
Chris Dimarco & Justin Leonard lost 1up toMike Weir (Can) & Robert Allenby (Aus)