Wizard Woods conjures late Cup turnaround for U.S.

U.S. team member Tiger Woods reacts to making a putt on the 17th hole to win the hole during his foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco, California October 10, 2009.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Just when it seemed the Presidents Cup might be tied going into Saturday afternoon's fourball matches, two late moments of magic from Tiger Woods put the United States back in control.

Playing with Steve Stricker in the morning foursomes against the International team, Woods sank a tricky 22-foot birdie putt on the 17th green, his ball almost coming to a halt on the edge of the cup before dropping in.

The world number one, sensing he and his partner may be able to rally from one behind against Canadian Mike Weir and South African Tim Clark, yelled as he twice pumped his right fist in celebration.

"I didn't have a choice," Woods told reporters of his dramatic putt. "If we miss, they make and it's over. It (the ball) just crawled in."

Left-hander Weir then faced a five-footer to halve the hole but surprisingly pushed his attempt wide as the U.S. duo leveled a match they had trailed since the fifth hole.

After Stricker found the fairway off the tee at the par-five last, Woods conjured a remarkable three-iron from 232 yards, the ball landing just short of the green before hopping up to nine feet from the flag.

CONFIDENT POSE

Woods knew he had struck the shot almost perfectly and he held a confident pose on his follow-through as he watched his ball soar into the distance with narrowed eyes.

"I don't know what I did, but I liked it," Woods said of his reaction.

"It was a full cut three-iron. I could just go ahead and swing it and I knew it wasn't going to be too much club."

Weir failed to sink a 30-footer to birdie the hole and the Internationals immediately conceded Stricker's eagle putt, automatically handing the Americans a one-up victory.

It was the third successive victory this week by the U.S. duo and the best start for Woods in six appearances at the Presidents Cup.

It also put the holders 10-7 ahead of the Internationals, Stewart Cink and Hunter Mahan having snatched an unlikely half against Australian Robert Allenby and Fijian Vijay Singh with a birdie at the last after trailing for 13 holes.

The brightest fireworks of the day, however, and the biggest boost for U.S. momentum had come from Woods and his playing partner Stricker was delighted to have a front-row seat.

"It was fun to watch and it was pretty impressive," world number three Stricker said. "We all know what he does and he stepped it up when he had to.

"He kept telling me: 'We are going to win this match, turn this thing and get the crowd on our side.' Believing is one thing, and he pulled some great shots off at the end."

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)