Adam Scott leads Presidents Cup fightback

But the Americans took their foot of the gas, opening the door for the scrappy Internationals, who split the morning foursomes 2-2 and then took three of four points in the afternoon fourballs to chop the US advantage to 11-7.

While it was an inspiring performance by the Internationals, they will head into Sunday's decisive singles still facing a daunting challenge of overhauling a US team that will need just 4-1/2 points from the 12 matches to secure victory.

Playing in his 10th Presidents Cup and still seeking a first overall Internationals victory after eight losses and a tie, Scott came to the fore, securing wins in both of Saturday's sessions.

The Australian teamed with Hideki Matsuyama to beat Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa 3 and 2 in the foursomes, then combined with countryman Cam Davis to beat Sam Burns and Billy Horschel 1-up in fourballs.

"Any victory against the US team has got to be really hard fought," Scott said. "So this feels good."

The Internationals, with a record eight Presidents Cup debutants in their 12-man team, were given little chance against a US squad featuring nine of the top 15 players in the world and had looked ready to be steamrollered by the Americans after being routed in the opening two sessions.

But International captain Trevor Immelman had vowed his men would fight until the final bell and they have now earned the opportunity to pull off what many believe would be the biggest upset in golf.

A long day at the Quail Hollow Club began in the dawn chill and dewy fairways but the early start did not stop fans from packing into the first tee stands, the pro-American crowd sending off captain Davis Love III's men to what they hoped would be another day of domination.

But the raucous cheers fell silent in the Charlotte twilight when Scott and Davis beat Horschel and Burns to cap a day of shocks.