Yorkshire-based PGA professionals James Freeman and Gareth Davies played their parts as the GB&I team beat the US in the PGA Cup at The K Club.
The GB&I team earned a record haul of 16.5 points as the Americans earned 9.5 points in Ireland – with the event featuring four foursomes and four fourball matches on each of the first two days before all 10 players competed in the singles on the final day.
James and Gareth teamed up to win both their foursomes and fourball matches on Friday – with James making a hole-in-one on the 182-yard second hole as they won 5&4 in the afternoon fourball match.
The duo then earned a third point on Saturday morning in the foursomes as the GB&I team stretched its lead. They were beaten for the first time in Saturdays fourball match, before both Gareth and James lost in the singles as the Sunday session was tied 5-5.
In the singles, Toby Hunt’s 3ft par putt on the 15th saw him go 3up with three to play, clinching the crucial half point for GB&I to reach the required 13.5 to end nine years of hurt and claim a second PGA Cup victory at The K Club.
The icing on the cake came through Ben Amor, whose half point with Ryan Lenahan was enough to see GB&I reach a record 16.5 points.
“Winning the PGA Cup is a big achievement for the GB&I team,” said Abbeydale-based Gareth, who played in the event for the second time. “With a much smaller pool of players to choose from, it’s always going to be tough for us. To be part of a record win, on home soil, with a brilliant team, is a fantastic feeling.
“Playing in a team, in fourball and foursomes matches, is pretty rare for professionals, and it was great to do that alongside James. We’ve played a bit together over the years and know each other well. We’ve also spent some time together this year, at the get-together at The K Club this summer and back home in Yorkshire. That preparation really helped, and we built a strong bond. We had a good blend on the golf course with complementary styles, and that worked really well on the first two days as we won three times.
“James’ hole-in-one was a big highlight,” added Gareth. “We also had a great run in our first foursomes match. Having hit it in the water on 16, I ended up holing a 25ft putt to win the hole. I followed it up with a great tee shot on 17, then James holed the putt there. On 18, James hit an amazing lag putt to gimme range to close it out on the par five. The way that match ended, and the quality of the shots we both hit, was just incredible.”
Rotherham-based James, who was representing GB&I for the first time, said: “From the moment I stepped off the plane to arriving back home, I loved every minute.
“It was a magical week with so many highlights. The hole-in-one on Friday was fantastic, and our two comeback wins were both a lot of fun. We showed some proper Yorkshire grit in both of those wins.
“Gareth and I formed a great team that week. We put the work in at home and at The K Club to be as prepared as we could be. We both enjoy getting into the process and doing the planning, and I think that work helped us a lot.
“While I would have loved to have won my singles, we always knew we would win as a team and lose as a team, and I was over the moon to be part of a winning side.”
GB&I captain David Scott cut an emotional figure as the victory was confirmed and he was overcome with pride.
“I am absolutely amazed by the quality of the team,” he said. “The strength and depth, even though on paper we weren’t as strong, the heart in the team is tremendous. I am delighted for them.”
David took inspiration from the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team, who ended 11 years of hurt in Lahinch this year.
“Staying where your feet are is a great expression I got from (GB&I Walker Cup captain) Dean Robertson. Don’t look behind or ahead, just stay where you are. We could have easily taken our eye off the ball. I gave them a challenge to win every singles match. If you focus purely on your own match then you should get the result. If there’s apathy, before you know it the Americans have you by the throat. I spoke to them last night, gave them a hard message. We saw it in Medinah and at the Walker Cup – you can’t forecast anything, you have to prepare yourself. It was about staying with the process, and believing in yourself. I’m thrilled for all of these guys.”
The standout player of the week was Scotland’s Graeme Robertson, who rolled back the years to his Home Internationals days with five wins from five matches, including a 3&1 triumph over Brian Bergstol in the singles.
GB&I finished the week unbeaten across the five sessions, and eclipsed the record 16 points they amassed in their last win in 2017.
Looking ahead to the next PGA Cup match in the US in 2028, Gareth said: “I’ll be 51 by the time the next match takes place, and while it’s a big commitment to play the events and earn the points to be part of it, I’ll be doing everything I can to get there.”
“It’s a big commitment to prepare for and play in the events and qualify for this team, but having done it once, I’d love to be part of it again,” added James. “I’ll be putting my all into training and practising over the next two years to try and earn my place in the team to defend the trophy.”
For the full results click here.
