In brief: U.S. maintains Presidents Cup lead

Golf: 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 at San Francisco.

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

The International team just won’t go away.

It 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 a 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, America’s two major champions who remain without a point heading into the weekend.

Woods and Stricker remain the only players at Harding Park who have not trailed over the last two days, and they have yet to play the 16th hole in competition.

Stricker chipped in for birdie on the first hole, hit a wedge to 2 feet to take the lead for good on the par-5 fifth, and Woods 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.

•Smith repeats at U.S. Mid-Amateur: Nathan Smith won his second U.S. Mid-Amateur title, building a big early lead and cruising to a 7-and-6 victory over Tim Spitz at Kiawah Island, S.C.

Smith, the 2003 champion, was 3 up after five holes and never let Spitz back in it over 30 holes.

Manning appears ready for start

NFL: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning returned to practice and showed no ill effects of the injured right heel that kept him out the previous two days.

Yet the team is still being cautious about his status for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

Manning is listed as questionable and coach Tom Coughlin said it will more than likely be a game-time decision.

•Vick show to air on BET: Michael Vick will be giving the public an inside look at his life during an eight-part television series scheduled to debut on BET next year.

Tentatively titled “The Michael Vick Project,” the cable show will follow the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback as he tries to redeem himself after going to prison for 18 months for his role in operating a dogfighting ring.

•Polamalu, Parker not expected to play for Steelers: Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (knee) practiced only lightly for the third day in a row and is not expected to play Sunday in Detroit.

Running back Willie Parker (left toe) was held out for the third consecutive day and will not play in Detroit.

Hamlin earns pole for Sprint Cup race

Auto racing: Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Hamlin averaged 183.870 mph during his qualifying run around the 2-mile oval.

Greg Biffle will start second. Three-time defending series champion Jimmie Johnson will start third. Points leader Mark Martin will start ninth.

•IRL contenders in tight race: Dario Franchitti gained a point by winning the pole in qualifying for the Indy 300 at Homestead, Fla.

Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Ryan Briscoe are separated by only eight points heading into the IRL finale today.

Oklahoma’s Bradford will return to action

NCAA football: Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford will return from a sprained right shoulder and start for No. 19 Oklahoma today against Baylor.

Bradford missed the Sooners’ last three games after spraining the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in a loss to BYU.

•Nevada downs Louisiana Tech: Colin Kaepernick passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more, including a 67-yarder, to help Nevada beat Louisiana Tech 37-14 at Reno, Nev.

Kaepernick finished with 166 yards passing for the Wolf Pack (2-3, 1-0 Western Athletic Conference) in their fifth straight victory over the Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1).

Golf, rugby back as Olympic sports

Miscellany: After more than a century on the sidelines, golf will return to the Olympics at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. Rugby, last played in 1924, is coming back as well.

Both were reinstated for the 2016 and 2020 games after a vote by the International Olympic Committee.

•Rachel Alexandra done for year: What was all but certain for more than a month became gospel when Rachel Alexandra’s owner said his star 3-year-old filly is finished racing for the year.

“We are all looking forward to an exciting 2010 season,” owner Jess Jackson said.