GEORGE (South Africa), Nov 22: Australia’s Adam Scott and South Korea’s K.J. Choi inspired an unprecedented clean sweep by the Internationals against the U.S. in the Presidents Cup fourballs on Saturday.

The pair beat Kenny Perry and Jerry Kelly 5 and 4 to secure the first points of the day, setting the tone as the Internationals overhauled the U.S. by sweeping to victory in all six better-ball matches at a sun-drenched Links course.

The Internationals had started the penultimate day three points behind the holders, but they ended it leading by 12-1/2 points to 9-1/2.

Scott and Choi birdied five of the first nine holes to go five up at the turn and, despite a chip-in for birdie by Perry at the par-four 10th, maintained their grip until sealing the win at the par-four 14th.

Australians Peter Lonard and Stephen Leaney came back from two down to beat Fred Funk and Phil Mickelson 2 and 1 before South Africans Ernie Els and Tim Clark collected the third point of the afternoon with a 3 and 2 win over Jim Furyk and Jay Haas.

Clark hit his approach to within a foot of the pin at the 385-yard first to set up the first of three birdies in the opening eight holes.

But he and his partner lost momentum on the back nine before world number three Els finished the match in style, holing a 20-foot eagle putt at the 584-yard 16th.

The trophy will be decided over the closing 12 singles matches on Sunday, with both sides chasing a minimum of 17-1/2 points for victory.

Results:

Fred Funk/Phil Mickelson lost to Peter Lonard (Australia)/Stephen Leaney (Australia) 2 and 1; Jim Furyk/Jay Haas lost to Ernie Els (South Africa)/Tim Clark (South Africa) 3 and 2; Kenny Perry/Jerry Kelly lost to Adam Scott (Australia)/K.J.Choi (South Korea) 5 and 4; Tiger Woods/Charles Howell III lost to Vijay Singh (Fiji)/Retief Goosen (South Africa) 2 and 1; Chris DiMarco/Justin Leonard lost to Mike Weir (Canada)/Robert Allenby (Australia) 1 up; Davis Love III/David Toms lost to Nick Price (Zimbabwe)/Stuart Appleby (Australia) 2 and 1

Internationals 12.5 points United States 9.5.—Reuters