San Francisco ? Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker dominate no matter what the format. Phil Mickelson wins no matter whom he has for a partner. It still isn’t enough for the Americans to shake the pesky International team in the Presidents Cup.

For the second straight day, the Americans were poised to take a comfortable lead.

But the International team rallied to win two late matches to split the fourballs session and keep the Americans’ lead at one point, 61/2-51/2

Ernie Els and Mike Weir won the final three holes to turn defeat into a 2-up victory, thanks to the Canadian hitting 3-wood from the base of the bleachers and onto the green for an eagle that was conceded.

In the final match on the course, Tim Clark ripped a 3-wood to 15 feet and dropped to his knees when the eagle putt curled into the cup. He and Vijay Singh won the last two holes for a 1-up victory over Stewart Cink and Lucas Glover.

Woods and Stricker made sure Geoff Ogilvy and Angel Cabrera never got close on the back nine. Woods hit a towering approach to 5 feet on the 15th hole for a birdie that was conceded in a 5-and-3 victory.

Mickelson teamed with Anthony Kim in foursomes, and had Justin Leonard at his side in fourballs. Leonard, who missed a 3-foot putt on the final hole Thursday event that cost the Americans a point, steadied himself quickly with a birdie on the first hole, and key birdie on the 14th for a 2-up lead, and an 8-foot birdie to close out the match, 3 and 2, over Retief Goosen and Adam Scott.

GOLF

Garcia shares Madrid lead

Madrid — Spain’s Sergio Garcia shot a 5-under 67 in the second round of the Madrid Masters for a share of the lead with Scotland’s David Drysdale. Drysdale had a 65 to match Garcia at 13-under 131 at Centro Nacional de Golf. Italy’s Emmanuele Canonica (65), England’s Ross McGowan (66) and Ireland’s Gary Murphy (65) were 12 under.

Ex-Mid-Amateur champ wins

Kiawah Island, S.C. — Nathan Smith won his second U.S. Mid-Amateur title on Friday, building a big early lead and cruising to a 7-and-6 victory over Tim Spitz. Smith, the 2003 champion, was 3 up after five holes.

OLYMPICS

Golf, rugby accepted

Copenhagen — Golf and rugby will be included in the 2016 and 2020 Summer Games, following a vote Friday by the International Olympic Committee.

Each sport received majority support in separate votes by the IOC after leading athletes and officials from both camps gave presentations, including a taped video message from Tiger Woods and other top pros.

Golf was approved 63-27 with two abstentions. Rugby was voted in 81-8 with one abstention.

Rugby will organize a four-day seven-a-side tournament for 12 men’s and women’s teams. Golf will stage a 72-hole stroke-play tournament for men and women, with 60 players in each field.

NFL

Titans tackle fined

Nashville, Tenn. — Tennessee defensive tackle Tony Brown did not want to open a note from the NFL. He had good reason. The league has fined him $10,000 for two hits last week. The NFL fined Brown for two separate hits on Jaguars quarterback David Garrard.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Phoenix takes WNBA title

Phoenix — The Phoenix Mercury are WNBA champions for the second time in three seasons, taking a 94-86 victory over the Indiana Fever in the deciding Game 5 Friday night. League MVP Diana Taurasi scored 26 points, Cappie Pondexter scored 24, and Penny Taylor sank two crucial free throws with 37.7 seconds left as the Mercury held off a late rally to win the series, 3-2.

AUTO RACING

Hamlin takes Fontana pole

Fontana, Calif. — Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway. Hamlin averaged 183.870 mph during his qualifying run around the 2-mile oval. The pole is his first of the year and seventh of his career. Hamlin’s last pole came at Richmond in 2008.

Greg Biffle will start second after David Reutimmann’s qualifying time was thrown out after his No. 00 Toyota failed post-qualifying inspection. Reutimann was bumped to 42nd.

New car planned for 2010

Fontana, Calif. — The NASCAR Nationwide Series will phase in a new car in 2010, with the cars expected to be used full time during the 2011 season.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

S. Miss. punter wounded

Hattiesburg, Miss. — Peter Wilkes, a walk-on punter at Southern Miss, is in critical condition at a Memphis, Tenn., hospital after being shot at his home in Union City, Tenn. Regional Medical Center officials said Friday that Wilkes was being treated in a critical care unit. Union City Assistant Police Chief Perry Barfield said the case is under investigation as an accident or self-inflicted gunshot wound.

BASEBALL

Tigers, Van Slyke part

Detroit — First base and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke will not be returning to the Detroit Tigers. The team announced Friday that Van Slyke “decided to pursue other opportunities.”