Woods wins but Internationals dominate US in Presidential Cup

The American captain Woods says his party "will regroup" and be "ready to go" on day two

The international team took a 4-1 lead over the United States after the opening day played four balls in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in Australia.

US captain Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas have secured the only point on their part when they defeated Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann 4 and 3. and Gary Woodland with the same score.

"This is an incredible start," said international captain Ernie Els.

"We haven't had this beginning for many years.

" It's really nice to have some points on the board. There were many tight matches and many crucial putts and great golf shots. "

The victory of Woods and Thomas over the Australian Leishman and debutant from Chile Niemann placed the first point on the board, but it was downhill from there for the US.

Eastern Houses in South Africa and Abraham Ancer from Mexico, who also made his debut, made it 1-1 before home favorite Adam Scott and South Korean An Byeong brought them to the Internationals a 2 & 1 win over Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau.

Canada's Adam Hadwin and South Korean Im Sung-jae expanded the lead when they achieved a hard-fought 1-up victory over Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

Patrick Reed, who by the crowd around the first tee was stirred after the controversy of his line break during the Hero World Challenge last Friday, missed a long putt on the 18th when he and Webb Simpson lost to Japanese Hideki Matsuyama and CT Pan of Chinese Taipei. [1 9459003]

"This is a long four days. I mean, we have to earn this cup, "said Woods.

" Just because we have lost the session does not mean that the cup is over. There is still a long way to go, many points available.

"The boys will regroup and we will be ready to leave tomorrow."