GEORGE, South Africa, 21 November 2003 — World number one Tiger Woods started his Presidents Cup campaign with a victory in his foursomes match yesterday and also managed to win over the partisan South African crowd.

The American pairing of Woods and partner Charles Howell III beat Internationals Stuart Appleby of Australia and South Korea’s KJ Choi 4 and 3, but the Internationals lead 3-1/2 to 2-1/2 after the first day.

Woods, 27, improved his win/loss ratio at the Presidents Cup to six and five overall and four and one in foursomes.

In searing heat, massive galleries followed the eight-time major winner over the dusty mounds of the long 7,489-yard, par-73 Links course at Fancourt.

Not even local favorite and world No. 3 Ernie Els, playing ahead of Woods, could draw the same volume of support.

People stood five deep to catch a glimpse of the man who last played in South Africa at the Sun City Challenge in 1998 and frequent cries of ‘you’re the man’ and ‘great shot Tiger’ could be heard from the galleries.

The crowds, who were fervently supporting the Internationals in the other five matches, clearly showed more support for Woods’ pairing — the last out.

“It felt like the public was evenly split, they definitely weren’t favoring the Internationals, I will say that, and that’s because of Tiger,” Howell said.

Woods, despite some loose shots off the tee, notably on the par-four seventh when he went on to a fairway pot bunker and the par-five ninth, produced some vintage play. On the seventh, after Howell chipped out of the bunker, Woods turned to him and said, “Sorry Charles...you won’t have to putt this one. I promise.”

He promptly put his approach from 150 yards to 18 inches, leaving Howell a simple tap in.

On the par-four 10th Woods hit a brilliant second to a foot, after Howell’s drive split the fairway, which put the pair two-up.

“We were very comfortable out there,” said Woods. “Chuck (Howell) is great to play with but I really rode him hard today.

“He played great golf, hit some solid shots and kept the ball in play, which you have to do on this course.”

Woods and Howell are paired for today’s fourballs matches against Els and South Africa’s Tim Clark.