The team drawn from all corners of the globe other than Europe has never before entered the biennial contest with the United States in a more optimistic mood.
The victory was Thomas’ 11th in this his sixth season on the PGA Tour. It also was his second win in his past four starts, his first coming in the BMW Championship in August.
International team captain Ernie Els has pleaded with Aussie golf fans to not be blinded by the star power of the American team and provide a genuine home-ground advantage when the Presidents Cup returns to Royal Melbourne Golf Club in December.
Cameron Smith is hoping to create history by becoming the first person in more than 100 years to win three consecutive Australian PGA Championship titles.
Amid plenty of carnage from their countrymen, a pair of gritty opening day performances from the two Queenslanders have kept Australian hopes of winning The Open alive.
Lashley, who lost his parents and his girlfriend in a tragic plane crash in May 2004, had his sister and his current girlfriend on hand to watch in Detroit.
Australian Golf Digest
