Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia ó The Americans have set off in their bid to win a fourth straight Presidents Cup in gorgeous weather and before a massive gallery at Royal Melbourne.
Even with Tiger Woods winning only one point, the Americans had a 13-9 lead over the International team going into the 12 singles matches. They need to win five of them to keep the cup.
Webb Simpson led off for the Americans against K.T. Kim.
The feature matches are Phil Mickelson against Adam Scott ó Mickelson doesn’t like caddie Steve Williams, either ó and Woods facing Aaron Baddeley.
An International win would match the largest comeback in any team competition. The Americans also came from four points down to win the 1999 Ryder Cup.MAJOR LEAGUES
WASHINGTON ó A week after being freed from his abductors in Venezuela, Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was checked by team doctors during a quick trip to Washington.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Ramos is “in terrific shape” and was heading back home to Venezuela later in the day. Rizzo says Ramos plans to play for his winter league team there as soon Tuesday.
Venezuelan authorities have charged eight suspects in connection with the 24-year-old Ramos’ kidnapping. He was seized at gunpoint outside his family’s home in the city of Valencia last week and was rescued by police commandos two days later in the mountains of Carabobo state.
BOSTON ó Bobby Valentine would “be honored” to talk more with the Boston Red Sox about their vacant managerial position.
NHL
LOS ANGELES ó Pavel Datsyuk had two goals, Niklas Kronwall got the go-ahead score during a power play in the second period, and the Detroit Red Wings snapped a five-game road losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
JETS 6, FLYERS 4
WINNIPEG, Manitoba ó Bryan Little scored twice early in the first period to help Winnipeg beat Philadelphia.
BRUINS 6, ISLANDERS 0
UNIONDALE, N.Y. ó Chris Kelly scored two goals and Tim Thomas turned away 22 shots to lead Boston to its eighth straight win.
CANADIENS 4, RANGERS 0
MONTREAL ó Carey Price made 17 saves for his second straight shutout, and Montreal ended the New York Rangers’ 7-game winning streak.
COYOTES 4, SABRES 2
BUFFALO, N.Y. ó Radim Vrbata and Paul Bissonnette scored 66 seconds apart in the second period to lift Phoenix over Buffalo.
MAPLE LEAFS 7, CAPITALS 1
TORONTO ó Jonas Gustavsson made a career-high 40 saves.
DEVILS 4, LIGHTNING 2
TAMPA, Fla. ó Martin Brodeur held Tampa Bay scoreless for 51 minutes, David Clarkson had a goal and an assist.