"The egg is not sunny-side up."  So spake Captain Gary Player after Saturday’s matches left the International squad with the proverbial snowball’s chance of winning the President’s Cup.  Ever the optimist, Mr. Player was left to ponder the drubbing applied his team by the US team.  In winning 7 1/2 of a possible 10 points the US has left the Internationals the longest of long shot hopes of claiming the Cup.  Mr. Player’s squad would need to win 10 of 12 singles matches Sunday to overcome this lead.  Daunting. Improbable.  Bet on the snowball.

The drama will not be entirely missing from Sunday, as Tiger Woods goes out fourth against home country favorite son Mike Weir.  "I think Mike has earned the right to represent us against the No. 1 player in the world and certainly in Canada," Stuart Appleby said. "It’s a bit of a Cinderella story. We have not put him there for token value. He’s obviously a player who has got some form, found some form and showing form. Who do you put up against Tiger Woods? I guess there’s a sentimental point to it and also a functional point. He’s not a weak link and it’s not lambs to the slaughter."  No Mr. Appleby it’s not, Mr. Weir is actually playing quite well.  Sporting a 2-1-1 record going into Sunday Mr. Weir appears to be coming out of the funk his game has exhibited of late quite nicely thank you very much. 

Of comparable interest, at least to me, is the match immediately before Mr. Woods-Mr. Weir, that of Phil Mickelson against Vijay Singh.  I have to wonder, how long are the spikes in Mr. Mickelson’s shoes going to be for this possible gem?  And will he file little hooks into the ends of them? 

Will any spectators be following matches other than Mr. Weir’s today?  If not for him this event would not be in Canada.  How tough is it to carry the entire country’s hopes in a giant backpack and how much will it get in the way of Mr. Weir’s swing?  Can’t imagine that kind of pressure. "If there’s one player on our team who will really give Tiger a go, it’s Mike Weir," said Ernie Els.  It should be fun to watch and listen to the crowd response, especially if the match is well played.

For those of you wondering, the reason the score is so lopsided is simple and summed up by Mr. Player; "Look, you can come up with all kind of theories," he said. "But the Americans have just played better. Amen."  This is the same reason the Europeans pounded the Americans in the last Ryder Cup. 

Lastly, please remember to thank the universe for giving us Woody Austin.  "Aquaman" will remain forever etched in my memory for the entertainment he has provided golf fans during this 2007 season with his antics, words of wisdom, and of course his play on the course.  Mr. Austin :  I salute you!