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By T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer

MONTREAL, Canada -- Call him a rookie. Call him an old rookie. Call him "Swamp Thing" if you'd like. But, whatever you do, don't forget to call 43-year-old U.S. Team Presidents Cup member Woody Austin "clutch."

Woody Austin overcame the embarrassment of his water landing to finish his round strongly. (Halleran/WireImage)

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• Friday's scores • Friday's recaps • Saturday at a glance

While Austin made an incredible eight birdies on Friday to help earn the American side a crucial half-point on an otherwise abysmal day for the red, white and blue, his heroics will likely be overshadowed by the dive.

Here's what happened. Playing alongside partner David Toms on the 14th hole at The Royal Montreal Golf Club -- a little par 4 measuring just 369 yards -- and trailing 1 down to their International opponents Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini, Austin had to take one for the team. After beautiful drives by the Internationals -- Immelman was just short of the green and Sabbatini was on the dance floor -- Toms and Austin proceeded to hit their tee balls in the water that guards the left side of the fairway and green.

Thing is, while submerged, Austin's ball was at least near dry land. In the match-play format, he had to take a chance at knocking it out. So, he did. Shoes and socks off, pants rolled to his knees, the gritty Austin sauntered into the cold, cloudy pond.

"The whole idea of the shot was just to try and get it to the bank, because I felt like from that bank, I had a chance to make three," Austin reasoned. "If I drop it from where I drop it, 30 yards over a little corner -- at that point I knew deep down I probably couldn't pull off the shot. But, between wanting really badly to pull it off and having my caddie urge me on..."

There are no pictures on the card. It will simply show that the Internationals were conceded the hole and went 2 up. However, that's not what the blooper reels will show.

Shortly after Austin presumably made contact with his ball, he lost his balance on a slimy rock, tried to catch himself from falling backward and wound up going face first into the pond as if he were bobbing for apples. As soon as he climbed out of the pond, Austin shook off like a dog just out of a bathtub.

"Well, I don't think I look any worse than I always do," Austin joked. "Scotty [Verplank] says I smell different, but I think, you know, everything else, I think I look just as ugly as I always do."

As Vijay Singh walked by Austin after a post-round interview, the Fijian ribbed, "Woody, the Russian judge only gave you an 8 on that dive."

Austin was happy to take the abuse. With three birdies on the last three holes on putts of seven, 16 and six feet, respectively, he rallied the Americans to an improbable and equally as incredible halve.

"I'm trying to do the best I can for myself as well as my 11 teammates," he said. "At my age, for this to be my first [Presidents Cup], I can't speak for the other guys. I know they're as competitive as I am. But I know there's nobody that wants to be here any worse than I do."

His game proved that on Friday.

"Bar none, I've never putted that good under those circumstances, because let's face it, I've never been in those circumstances before," he said. "So, you know, I have nothing to say that I did anything better than that."

The Americans were nearly as dominated Friday as they were dominating on Thursday. A half-point by Austin and Toms was extremely important for the U.S. Team, ensuring a two-point advantage at 7-5 heading into a two-match set on Saturday with a morning Foursomes session and an afternoon Four-Ball session.

Scott Verplank and Steve Stricker were facing Adam Scott and K.J. Choi two holes ahead of Austin when the now-famous plunge occurred. Verplank said he believed that watching Austin's unintentional dip in the pond was beneficial for him and Stricker.

"We were on the 16th tee, and that loosened us up," Verplank said. "Stricker made a birdie on 16 to get us in the lead for good, but we were 1 up, so that was big. I think Woody, his effects were far reaching, not only that he played great golf, I watched the last few holes, it was pretty spectacular."

"I have the mentality where I will do anything I can for my part, my teammates, whatever," Austin said. "I hope today I proved that I'm never going to give up until it's over."

Even if it means taking a little dive.