• Presidents Cup

No concerns over Tiger - Couples

ESPN staff
November 18, 2011
Tiger Woods is the only American player who has failed to score a point on both days © Getty Images
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US captain Fred Couples defended Tiger Woods after the former world No. 1 failed to pick up a point for the second day at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne.

Despite Woods' defeat, the Americans retained their lead over their International opponents as the points were shared on Friday. After suffering the worst match play defeat of his career on Thursday with Steve Stricker, Woods enjoyed a better day with Dustin Johnson, but was still beaten by Australian pair Jason Day and Aaron Baddeley.

Couples drew criticism for choosing Woods as one of his two captain's picks months before the cut-off day in spite of his lack of form, and the US skipper insists Woods is in good spirits and with the Americans ahead at the halfway stage, he was unconcerned.

"He laughed about it," Couples said. "Not many times where he doesn't win a point through a couple of rounds. But you know what, we are up by two points, and that's really all I care about at the moment. And I would say Tiger does the same."

The players endured ferocious winds which caused drives to plunge into bunkers and two-foot putts to fly off the greens. International captain Greg Norman described the conditions as "11 out of 10", while Adam Scott admitted it was "carnage".

"Just trying to hit the greens, that was a heck of an accomplishment," Woods said. "Wedges weren't holding, balls were oscillating on the greens, you've got to play the wind on putts. It was a tough day."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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