US defies comeback to lead Presidents Cup

Steve Stricker saved par from an 18th-hole bunker to give the United States a 3 1/2-2 1/2 lead over the Internationals after Thursday’s opening four-ball matches at the storm-hit Presidents Cup.

The escape allowed Stricker, the oldest US player at 46, and Jordan Spieth, the youngest at 20, to edge South Africa’s Ernie Els and Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge 1-up in the last match.

Spieth had birdied to win the 14th for a 2-up US lead. Els made his first birdie to win the 17th but Stricker blasted out to two feet at the last and De Jonge missed a 15-foot birdie putt to leave the Americans on top.