MELBOURNE, Australia – Tiger Woods ended his birdie drought at wind-swept Royal Melbourne today, and the Americans looked set to at least maintain their lead over the Internationals at the Presidents Cup.

The U.S., ahead 4-2 after the six foursomes matches Thursday, led in three of six fourballs matches after the completion of nine holes today. The Internationals led in two, with Woods’ match all square.

Woods, trying to make up for a 7-and-6 foursomes loss with Steve Stricker on Thursday in which they failed to make a birdie, hit a perfect curling downhill putt on the fourth that could have gone off the green if it hadn’t hit the center of the hole.

The birdie, complete with an exaggerated downward fist pump, gave him and Dustin Johnson an early 1-up lead over Aaron Baddeley and Justin Day. But both Americans bogeyed the eighth, leaving the match even through 12.

Players fought strong, gusting wind from the north to northwest, a direction that always toughens the composite layout at Royal Melbourne.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it an 11 today,” International captain Greg Norman said about the conditions as the groups teed off.

The greens became increasingly fast, and Bubba Watson witnessed it firsthand on the fourth hole – a group ahead of Woods. Watson watched his 20-foot curling birdie putt go past the hole, nearly stop, then continue to roll off the green and into a hollow, about 60 to 70 feet away from him.

There was a chance of storms later this afternoon, so officials moved up the start time today by two hours.

The Americans are trying to win the Presidents Cup for the fourth straight time.