The Americans retained their perfect winning record at home, after winning the three previous events at the Robert Trent Jones Club.

Masters runner-up Chris DiMarco made the winning putt, sinking a 15-foot birdie to beat Stuart Appleby in the final match.

“I am so happy,” said DiMarco. “I was looking for an opportunity to do it for the team-mates here and I can’t wait for that first six-pack of beer.”

It was a bitter finish for Appleby, who fought back to take the lead on the 16th, only to lose the final two holes.

The US won despite a poor performance from Tiger Woods, beaten two and one by South African Retief Goosen.

Woods, suffering back pain, hit some terrible drives way right, while Goosen used his putter to get the job done, twice holing putts from outside 45 feet.

The key to the US victory was Fred Couples’ hard-fought one hole win over Vijay Singh, the top player on the International team.

Couples putted poorly most of the day, before making amends at the last, where he drained a 20-footer to win his match. He holed the winning putt in the 1996 event and his opponent that day was also Singh.

Collated results in the opening singles in the 2005 Presidents Cup, USA v Rest of the World, Robert Trent Golf Club, Prince William County, Vaginia (USA names first):

Justin Leonard bt Tim Clark (Aus) 4 and 3

David Toms bt Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 2 and 1

Kenny Perry bt Mark Hensby (Aus) 4 & 3

Tiger Woods lost to Retief Goosen (Rsa) 2 & 1

Scott Verplank lost to Mike Weir (Can) 3 and 2

Jim Furyk bt Adam Scott (Aus) 3 and 2

Fred Couples bt Vijay Singh (Fij) 1 up

Stewart Cink lost to Peter Lonard (Aus) 3 and 2

Fred Funk lost to Michael Campbell (Nzl) 3 and 2

Davis Love III bt Nick O’Hern (Aus) 4 and 3

Chris DiMarco bt Stuart Appleby (Aus) 1 up

Phil Mickelson halved with Angel Cabrera (Spa)

USA 18½ Rest Of the World 15½.