GEORGE, South Africa, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The United States grabbed a firm grip on the Presidents Cup Friday, winning seven of a possible 10 points to take a 9 1/2-6 1/2 lead.
It has the large lead over the International Team heading into Saturday's five best-ball matches.
Despite world No. 1 Tiger Woods suffering his first loss at this year's event, the Americans won three of the five morning best-ball matches, then torched the Internationals in the afternoon alternate-shot format.
"When a team gets the momentum on their side, you really notice it picks up the rest of the players, regardless of how the other side is playing," said International assistant captain Ian Baker-Finch.
The duos of Kenny Perry and Jerry Kelly, David Toms and Fred Funk, and Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard earned the first three points of the day's second session. Woods and Charles Howell III then recovered from their earlier setback in fourball to edge Retief Goosen and Tim Clark of South Africa, 1-up.
Perry, at 3-0, is the lone unbeaten American.
