U.S. leads big in Presidents Cup

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Phil Mickelson rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to cap off another big day for the Americans and set a record for the largest lead after two sessions in Presidents Cup history.

Another day like this and that’s what the International team will be — history.

Mickelson and Kevin Kisner never led against Jason Day and Marc Leishman until the par-3 18th hole Friday at Liberty National. Mickelson poured in his birdie putt, and Leishman missed his from about the same range.

About the only thing that went wrong was the celebration. Mickelson, who on Thursday cropped himself out of a selfie with the last three U.S. presidents, missed a move in the “Three Amigos” dance with Kisner.

“I’m clearly the worst selfie taker. I’m the worst ‘Three Amigos’ dancer. But I can putt,” Mickelson said.

Mickelson, who has played in all 12 Presidents Cups, has 24 match victories to tie the record set by Tiger Woods in eight appearances. Woods was looking on in his role as an assistant to U.S. captain Steve Stricker.

And that’s about all the International team could do.

Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Hadwin were 2 up with four holes to play against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed and had to settle for a halve. Even that felt like a small victory for the International team because Spieth had birdie putts on the final two holes that narrowly missed.

Justin Thomas, already with a big year behind him as a major champion and the FedEx Cup champion, teamed with Rickie Fowler for another easy victory. Hannah Green of Australia sank seven birdies in a bogey-free round to lead the IOA Golf Classic by one stroke Friday in Longwood. Play was suspended twice because of rain, and the first round is set to resume at 10 a.m. today before Round 2 of the 54-hole Symetra Tour tournament.

Seeking her second victory in three weeks, Green shot a 64 on the par-71 Alaqua Country Club layout. Liv Cheng was second, followed by four golfers at 66. Four other golfers sat three strokes behind Green at 67, including former Lake Nona High and UCF standout Ashley Holder and 2014 IOA Golf Classic champion Kendall Dye.

Carlie Yadloczky of Casselberry opened with a 1-under 70. Kellie Edelblut of Lake Mary shot a 75. Former UCF golfer Jessy Tang was 2 over through four holes.

The Symetra Tour is the main developmental circuit for the LPGA Tour.

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