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 compete in the singles on the final day.
James and Gareth teamed up to win both their foursomes and fourball matches on Friday – with James holing out from 182 yards on the second hole as they won 5&4 in the afternoon fourball match.
The team 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 losing in the singles as the Sunday session was tied 5-5.
Toby Hunt’s 3ft par putt on the 15th saw him go 3up with three to play in the singles, 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 putt I holed on 15 was a massive relief. It was a good up and down from the back edge. David told me that I had secured it so that made the drive down 16 a bit easier! It feels great after getting stuffed two years ago; it’s a great feeling to beat them in the same sort of fashion,” said the Welshman.
“You try not to get ahead of yourself; I had a look at the scoreboard on 15 and thought I had the chance to do something quite cool that not many golfers have the chance to do. I was so relieved to get the win.”
The icing on the cake came through Ben Amor, whose half point with Ryan Lenahan was enough to see GB&I reach 16.5 points.
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 I have had this week,” 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 last month.
“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.
For the full results click here.
