HONOURS EVEN AT END OF FIRST SESSION
IN PGA CUP MATCH IN UNITED STATES

An exciting morning of PGA Cup four-balls ended all square after ice cool Jon Bevan kept his nerve to halve the final match on Oconee Course's difficult par-4 18th.
The Wessex Golf Centre pro sank a four footer to claim a half for Great Britain & Ireland against the powerful US combo of Tim Thelen and Lee Rinker.
"What a player, he never misses," said his partner Duncan Muscroft. "With a partner like that you can't fail. We were never up but what a couple of great players Tim Thelen and Lee Rinker are - I haven't seen the others but would think they are probably the toughest players on their team.
"We were two down after eight but I birdied nine, 10 and 11 and we got it back to square but they threw a bomb at us on 15 when they holed a monster putt but we got out of jail on 16."
Earlier a rampant display by close friends Craig Goodfellow and Michael Nesbit, who were the third pairing out, enabled GB&I to post the first blue numbers on the scoreboard. The North-east of England duo blitzed opponents Chip Sullivan and Ron Philo Junior 6 and 5, galloping to seven under par through 13 to earn an early lunch.
Nesbit hailed Goodfellow's stunning second shot out of trees on the par-5 first hole as the catalyst for their birdie spree.
"I didn't think it would be that comfortable but we're all playing well and 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.
"We just backed each other up and in fourballs that is the key. There were a lot of holes where we were both putting for birdie so it's given us real confidence.
"I think the fact we know each other helped. Of course there's some nerves, but you get the odd joke in which helps.
"We've played a lot of four-ball golf together, just knocking it around with the lads. And it helps because the more relaxed and comfortable you are the more likely you are to play better."
America's first point arrived shortly after when the second match out saw Ryan Benzel and Don Yrene defeat John Dwyer and Danny Taylor. The Americans pulled clear with birdies on nine, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 to wrap a 5 and 3 win.
It was nip and tuck all the way in the first match between the two Ws - Paul Wesselingh and James Whatley - and Mike Small and Alan Schulte.
Small drew first blood with a birdie on the first but the Derbyshire pair hit straight back with rookie Whatley nailing consecutive birdies. At one stage they were two up after seven but were pegged back on the back nine, eventually ending all square after bogeying the par four 16th.
Wesselingh hailed his 24-year-old partner's performance.
"We had a couple of chances and I missed a couple of putts in the middle of the game, but we played fantastic," he said.
"I was quite nervous on the first couple of holes, but James played absolutely fantastic. He had such a good start. He's handled himself really well."
Whatley reveled in the unique atmosphere of match-play despite a few nerves."It would have been nice to get a full point but we'll take a half," he said.
"I was nervous on the first tee but that's why you play golf. 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."
GB&I captain Gary Alliss was delighted with the way his pairings gelled."It was incredibly exciting, everybody played very well and again the hard part was telling two players they've got to sit out the foursomes," he said.
"The spirit, commitment and partnerships they displayed was as I expected and except for a few grayer hairs and nerves it was great experience."
The afternoon foursome pairings are (US names first):

Don Yrene & Ryan Benzel vs Michael Nesbit and Craig Goodfellow

Tim Thelen & Butch Sheehan vs Paul Wesselingh & Andrew Barnett

Lee Rinker & Chris Starkjohann vs Jon Bevan & George Ryall

Mike Small & Alan Schulte vs John Dwyer & Duncan Muscroft


MORNING FOUR-BALL RESULTS

UNITED STATES 2, GB & IRELAND 2
US pairings first

Mike Small & Alan Schulte halved with Paul Wesselingh & James Whatley.

Ryan Benzel & Don Yrene bt John Dwyer & Danny Taylor 5 and 3.

Chip Sullivan & Ron Philo Jnr lost to Craig Goodfellow & Michael Nesbitt 6 and 5.

Tim Thelen & Lee Rinker halved with Jon Bevan & Duncan Muscroft.