FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL ; TIGER WINS HIS FIRST IN FOUR-BALL

GAINESVILLE, Va. – For a while it looked like Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk would need their physical therapist yesterday more than their golf clubs.

Furyk and Woods teamed in a Four-Ball (best-ball) match against Aussies Stuart Appleby and Mark Hensby on the second day of the Presidents Cup, but there was concern if either American would be able to finish his round when Woods began suffering back spasms on the front nine.

Woods grimaced after hitting an aggressive shot on the sixth hole and had to have his back iced throughout the remainder of the round. Furyk didn’t experience as much discomfort as he felt on Thursday, when a pulled rib-cage muscle forced him to lay on several tee boxes and get massaged. Still, physiotherapist Tom LaFountain quickly became the most important member of the U.S. team.

“I have a couple of rib heads that are out and causing some spasm and pain,” Woods said. “It’s just a matter of keeping it pain-free and loose where I can swing. Tom did an awesome job of getting me to where I could swing the golf club, which was not exactly easy to do.”

The back woes didn’t seem to hamper their performance, as Woods and Furyk earned an important 3-and-2 victory to help the Americans stay within a point of the Internationals, who lead 61/2-5½ heading into today’s 36-holes of foursomes and Four-balls. The win was Woods’ first in seven best-ball matches in Presidents Cup competition.

In other matches, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco looked in trouble when they were two down with four holes to play against Michael Campbell and Angel Cabrera. But DiMarco buried a birdie at the par-4 15th and hit a 12-footer for birdie on the par-3 17th, making the match all square.

“Being two down with four to go, to get a half point is big,” DiMarco said.

The International team of Adam Scott and Retief Goosen beat Fred Couples and David Toms, 3 and 1. The Americans lost four of the first six holes and couldn’t catch up.

Down 5-3 at one point during the day, the Americans needed a victory and got it when Leonard and Scott Verplank defeated Trevor Immelman and Mike Weir, 2 and 1.

The U.S. team suffered an upset of sorts when David Love III and Kenny Perry were beaten 3 and 2 by Peter Lonard and Nick O’Hern.

Vijay Singh and Tim Clark went to the final hole all square with Fred Funk and Stewart Cink after Singh made a short birdie putt on the par-4 17th. Singh had a chance for the win, but his putt on No. 18 fell left of the hole, ending the match at all square.

PRESIDENTS CUP RESULTS

International 6½, U.S. 5½

Four-ball (best ball)

Phil Mickelson-Chris DiMarco halved with Angel Cabrera-Michael Campbell (Int’l).

Adam Scott-Retief Goosen (Int’l) def. Fred Couples-David Toms, 3 & 1.

Justin Leonard-Scott Verplank def. Trevor Immelman-Mike Weir (Int’l), 2 & 1.

Fred Funk-Stewart Cink halved with Vijay Singh-Tim Clark (Int’l).

Peter Lonard-Nick O’Hern (Int’l) def. Davis Love III-Kenny Perry, 3 & 2.

Tiger Woods-Jim Furyk def. Stuart Appleby-Mark Hensby (Int’l), 3 & 2.

Today’s morning matches

Foursomes (alternate shot)

7:20 – Retief Goosen-Adam Scott (Int’l) vs. Justin Leonard-Scott Verplank