Americans roll to early Presidents Cup lead

JERSEY CITY, N.J. A memorable start that featured the previous three U.S. presidents on the first tee ended with a familiar result at the Presidents Cup. The Americans are out to another big lead in the event they haven’t lost in nearly two decades.

PGA champion Justin Thomas made his professional team debut with a short day of work as he and Rickie Fowler lost only two holes in a 6-and-4 victory. Jordan Spieth holed a 35-foot putt that sent him and Patrick Reed to another victory. Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar remained unbeaten.

The Americans won the opening session for the sixth straight time in the Presidents Cup and built a 3½-1½ lead Thursday after the opening foursome matches.

Phil Mickelson, playing in his 23rd consecutive team competition, ended the tough, windswept afternoon at Liberty National by missing an eight-foot par putt or the U.S. lead would have been even greater. He and Kevin Kisner were 1 down with two holes remaining to Jason Day and Marc Leishman, so a half-point wasn’t bad.

Mickelson’s only complaint was that he botched his selfie with former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama with barely his head showing.

For the most part, everything else went the Americans’ way.

The lone bright spot for the International team was Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace, who improved to 5-0 as a tandem. The South African duo pulled away for a 3-and-1 victory over U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger.

The Americans have a 9-1-1 lead in the series.