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President's Cup: Tiger gets WAGS support on way to opening win
As much as players and officials like to talk up the competitive nature of the Presidents Cup there was also an end-of-season party atmosphere at MuirfieldVillage on Thursday with even Tiger Woods joining in the fun.
Woods and Matt Kuchar enjoyed a comfortable 5&4 win over Argentine Angel Cabrera and Australian Marc Leishman and the world number one had an unusually relaxed day.
With eight birdies between them and winning six holes to one, the American pair never looked in danger and there was even time for some fun and games.
Woods didn't initially look amused when he felt a squirrel on the back of his neck while watching at the 18th green but he saw the funny side when he realised his girlfriend, Olympic downhill ski champion Lindsay Vonn had been behind the prank.
Kuchar had helped create the mood with an elaborate high-five routine with Woods to celebrate birdies with the American saying it was based on the '80s television comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
'We went out there, had a great time today and put it on them'
"I'm not a huge fan of bumping knuckles, I thought there was something a little extra, something fun to do," said Kuchar.
"Baseball high-fives look like a lot of fun but look a little too complicated so we went old school with the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, a little snap-back after you slap hands.
"It's fun, I figure he's kind of like Carlton, and we really had a good time doing it out there," he said.
Kuchar is Woods' 19th different partner in Presidents and Ryder Cup action for the U.S. and the pair looked to have quickly formed a good understanding.
"We've been good friends for a long time. We went out there, had a great time today and put it on them," said Woods.
Some may find playing with the 14-times major winner intimidating but Kuchar said he felt he was able to follow the example of Woods' former partner Steve Stricker.
Day-DeLaet stumble before win
The International team registered two wins on the day, first, when Australia’s Jason Day struck a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to ensure he and Canadian Graham DeLaet won 1-up against American duo Hunter Mahan and Brandt Snedeker.
The Australian/Canadian combination won the opening hole but were three down by the sixth and seemingly in huge trouble.
They stumbled on the 17th when DeLaet missed a short putt but Day's heroics on the last ensured the duo were through will a full point.
There was loss for another American pair when South African duo Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel took on Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley and went on to win 2&1.