(AFP) – Sep 29, 2007

MONTREAL, Sept 28, 2007 (AFP) — US captain Jack Nicklaus might have all of his players stumble into a lake so they can recover to play the way Woody Austin did Friday at the Presidents Cup after a splashdown for the ages.

Austin made an ill-advised attempt to play a barely submerged ball on the 14th hole, slipped and fell face-first into a lake, joined friends and rivals alike in laughing about it, then birdied the last three holes for half a point.

"I can only tell you how much the competitive fire burns within me. It didn't douse it. I was still fired up and ready to go," Austin said.

"I hope I proved I'm never going to give up until it's over."

The Americans clung to a 7-5 lead despite losing four four-balls matches, winning one and swiping half a point when Austin and David Toms halved with South Africans Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini.

Austin was the hero, making eight birdies on the day, including a hattrick at 16, 17 and 18. The middle one was 18 feet. The last was from five and in answer to a 6-footer from Sabbatini that sealed an Internationals' half-point.

"Bar none, I've never putted that good," Austin said. "I have nothing to say that I did anything better than that."

But Austin will be remembered for a scene destined to become a television sport blooper classic - a bellyflop that was part swim star Michael Phelps, part diving legend Greg Louganis and part golf mishap Jean van de Velde.

"I have a feeling he will be hearing about that for the rest of his life," Nicklaus said. "He will be kidded about it, have fun with it, laugh about it and remember it for the rest of his life."

Caddie Brent Henley goaded fiery Austin into taking a chance to salvage a hole likely lost anyway with both US players in the water. What did Austin have to lose? Only his balance.

"I knew deep down I probably couldn't pull the shot off. But between wanting really badly to pull it off and having my caddie urge me on... I'm going to get Brent for that. He kept saying, 'You've got to try. You've got to try.'"

Austin first removed his socks and shoes, just as France's van de Velde did to stand in the water at Carnoustie on his way to squandering the 1999 British Open.

Austin took a stance with his left leg on the side of a slope and his right foot in the lake so he could swing at a ball just under the water's surface. He swung. He stepped back. He stumbled. He fell face first into the muck.

"I was doing OK until I stepped on the rock and once I stepped on the rock I lost my balance," Austin said. "I don't think I look any worse than I always do. Scotty (Verplank, a US teammate) says I smell different."

US veteran Jim Furyk covered his face with his hat trying not to be seen laughing.

"I was trying not to laugh, but I couldn't help it," Furyk said.

Australian Adam Scott could not conceal his smile. And Internationals captain Gary Player was trying to hide a silly grin.

"I'm dying to laugh, but I'm scared the cameras will be on me to see I'm laughing that the guy is drowning," Player said.

"He was such a great sport. I thought, 'Damn it, that water must be cold.' But I was pleased to see his head come up. He came out laughing, and it was really neat. That shot will be shown for a long time on TV."

Fiji's Vijay Singh later joked to Austin, "I give you an eight for the dive."

"It wasn't a dive," Austin replied.

Verplank said Austin's impromptu bath helped ease the tension on the US team during a rough day.

"When Woody went underwater, that loosened us up. His effects were far reaching," Verplank said. "Not only that. He played great golf. It was pretty spectacular. It was one of the positive influences of the day."

Nicklaus is almost ready to start immersion therapy for everyone.

"He takes a dive into a lake and then holes three straight birdie putts. He is amazing," Nicklaus said. "Woody is a character but he's a great competitor. He's pure grit coming down the stretch. He has been great."

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