Asian stars can't stop Woods-Stricker juggernaut

Asian sensations Yang Yong-Eun and Ryo Ishikawa couldn't stop America's powerhouse pair of Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, but at least they managed to slow them down for a few holes Saturday.

Yang, who became the first Asian man to win a major title with his triumph in the PGA Championship in August, teamed twice on Saturday with 18-year-old Japanese phenom Ishikawa in the Presidents Cup golf matches.

The two cruised to a 3 and 2 foursomes win over Kenny Perry and Zach Johnson, but Woods and Stricker were a far different matter.

"Y.E. and I got together and we wanted to play hard today," said Ishikawa, who also won a four-ball match with Yang on Friday. "We were able to hang there for awhile. The 36 holes that I played today is going to be very special and will help me in my career."

Woods and Stricker came into the four-ball clash with three victories under their belts.

Ishikawa had already had a taste of Woods and Stricker, when he and Geoff Ogilvy were routed 6 and 4 by them on Thursday.

On Saturday afternoon, Stricker was the star attraction, making seven of the duo's eight birdies.

"Stricks just put on a show," Woods said. "It was just an exhibition in how to putt."

The curtain looked about to come down when the Americans took a six-up lead with six to play.

But Ishikawa and Yang managed to make them work a little more with birdies to win 13, 14 and 15 before the Americans closed it out 4 and 2.

Woods, who was paired with Ishikawa at the British Open until both missed the cut, said he continued to be impressed by the 18-year-old's poise as well as his game.

"He's by far much more developed in his game than I ever was at 18 years old," Woods said. "I was longer than he was, but I certainly did not have the ability to hit shots like he does.

"It is quite remarkable what he has done, and the poise how he goes about it," Woods added of the youngster who has won four times this year in Japan.

"For him to go out there and carry himself the way he has this entire Presidents Cup, it's been fun to be a part of and watch how he competes."

Kenny Perry, the US team's elder statesman at 49, specifically asked to play Ishikawa in Sunday's singles - a match-up of the Cup's oldest and youngest.

"He thought it would be nice to play him because he's the oldest and he's the youngest," said Couples, who obliged.

Yang gets a marquee match-up with Woods - a reprise of their final round of the PGA Championship.