Powerful US complete the rout

United States recaptured the Presidents Cup from their International rivals yesterday, winning seven of 12 singles to complete the biggest win in the history of the event.

The US won 21 1/2-10 1/2 in the fourth biennial Cup matches, surpassing the previous record from 1998 when the Internationals romped to a 20 1/2-11 1/2 win. Davis Love defeated world number two Ernie Els of South Africa 4 and 3 in the fifth and clinching match after David Duval had beaten Zimbabwe's Nick Price 2 and 1 and Loren Roberts downed Australia's Stuart Appleby 3 and 2.

"It's a thrill," Love said. "It's nice to be one of the 12 who won it. I got better every day. I missed a few putts but I did what I had to do."

Love was only one up after 11 but birdied the par-five 12th while Els lost the 12th and par-five 14th with bogeys.

When Els missed a par putt on the 15th, Love had three putts for the Cup. He rolled a 10-footer inches from the hole. Els surrendered the tap-in and trophy.

"I bow to the superiority of the US team. They played impressively," said International captain Peter Thomson.

The Americans began the final day needing only two and a half points from the 12 concluding singles to reclaim the Cup, having built a 14-6 lead. Masters champion Vijay Singh finished with one win from four matches after losing 2 and 1 to Tiger Woods, who won 2000's other three majors and his first Presidents Cup.

"It's special," Woods said. "We have worked hard and come together as a team. A lot of things we have done behind closed doors have bonded us. This is something I will remember for a lifetime."

A squawking duck disturbed Woods as he prepared for a birdie putt at the lakeside 17th. Woods turned to look at the bird, returned to the ball and banged in the 10-footer to finish off Singh and complete the week with three wins.

Long after the Cup's fate was settled, Woods took inspiration from a loss to Singh in the fourball on Saturday and the "Tiger Who?" cap worn by Singh's caddie.