GB&I ONE POINT AHEAD AFTER DAY ONE
PGA CUP MATCH AGAINS USA IN GEORGIA

Great Britain & Ireland's quest to climb the Everest of PGA Cup golf and claim a first win on US soil is still very much alive in Georgia after they edged the first day's play by 4½-3½.
Gary Alliss's team split the honours after the morning four-balls but got their noses in front at the Oconee Course with a 2½-1½ scoreline in the afternoon foursomes.
The much touted bulldog spirit was in plentiful supply with good pals Michael Nesbit and Craig Goodfellow playing a 'get out of jail' card to rescue a vital half after winning the final two holes against Don Yrene and Ryan Benzel.
It was a hammer blow especially given the events on the last hole which had seen Goodfellow pull his tee shot and leave Nesbit dangerously close to the water and in all kinds of trouble.
Goodfellow made amends however with a difficult pitch out of rough to 10ft and Nesbit holed out after the Americans could only make bogey.
"We knew it was a big game and said on 17 that if we could get a half point it could make a massive difference in the overall complexion of the game," said Nesbit.
Their broad smiles grew even wider minutes later when a brilliant chip from George Ryall ensured a 1UP victory for he and partner Jon Bevan over Lee Rinker and Chris Starkjohann.
"That was the best fun I've had on a golf course for a long time, I absolutely loved it," said Ryall.
He certainly loved it when he drained a memorable 40ft putt for a two on the par three 15th immediately after Starkjohann had chipped in from off the green.
"It's a massive lift to the guys to go in front and it's not going to do anyone any harm," added Ryall of the day's work. "I think we've got a pretty strong team and we're confident we can compete."
Bevan was equally in his element. "The matches have been good, the Americans are fantastic players and nice guys with it too so I'm having a ball," he said.
The other point scorers in the afternoon session were five time PGA Cup veteran Paul Wesselingh and Andrew Barnett who moved effortlessly to a 2&1 win over Tim Thelen and Butch Sheehan."We play well together, we've got similar types of game and we played some great shots," said Wesselingh.
"The most important thing is that after the first day we're still in there and haven't played ourselves out of it.
"I always feel that in the foursomes and fourballs we should be doing our best stuff while America normally come through in the singles."
Mike Small and Alan Schulte served a timely reminder of the talent lurking in the American ranks by uncorking some vintage golf to dispatch John Dwyer and Duncan Muscroft 5&4 but it failed to take the gloss off a superb GB&I display and Alliss admitted he was 'absolutely delighted' with the performance.
"I'm thrilled to have our noses in front but there is a huge way to go and we've got to try and deliver more of the same tomorrow," he said.
"There was some incredible golf today from both sides. The way James Whatley played in his first appearance was awesome while the way George and Andrew came out in the afternoon after sitting out the fourballs showed just how much they wanted it."
The morning fourballs were nip and tuck all the way with Bevan and Muscroft clinching a half point on the last against Rinker and Thelen.
"With a partner like that who never misses you can't fail," said Muscroft.
Earlier Goodfellow and Nesbit blitzed opponents Chip Sullivan and Ron Philo Junior 6&5, galloping to seven under through 13 to earn an early lunch.
Nesbit hailed Goodfellow's stunning second shot out of trees on the par five 1st as the catalyst for their birdie spree.
"Craig played a great shot on the first which set us on our way," said Nesbit. "I don't know whether it stunned them a bit but it was the kick-start we needed to get us going."
America's Ryan Benzel and Don Yrene defeated John Dwyer and Danny Taylor 5&3 but the two Ws - Wesselingh and Whatley - went to the wire against Small and Schulte to finish all square.
Whatley was happy with a half and pleased with how he coped with the occasion.
"I was nervous on the first tee but that's why you play golf," he said. "I thrive on it and I feel like I channel those nerves in the right direction. "I've been nervous before and probably dealt with it in the wrong way. I'm only 24 but I think I've got a lot of experience of playing matches like that and I think I know how to deal with it now."

FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOURSOMES RESULTS

(United States names first)

USA 1 1/2, GB&I 2 1/2

Don Yrene & Ryan Benzel halved with Michael Nesbit & Craig Goodfellow

Tim Thelen & Butch Sheenan lost to Paul Wesselingh & Andrew Barnett 2 and 1.

Lee Rinker & Chris Starkjohann lost to Jon Bevan & George Ryall 1 hole.

Mike Small & Alan Schulte bt John Dwyer & Duncan Muscroft 5 and 4.

FRIDAY TOTAL POINTS:
United States 3 1/2, Great Britain & Ireland 4 1/2.

Saturday morning sees foursomes again:

8.00 (local time) Mike Small & Ryan Benzel vs Paul Wesselingh & James Whatley
8.15 Alan Schulte & Don Yrene vs Jon Bevan & George Ryall
8.30 Chip Sullivan & Chris Starkjohann vs Andrew Barnett & Duncan Muscroft
8.45 Ron Philo Jnr & Tim Thelen vs Craig Goodfellow & Michael Nesbit