GB&I Fightback Sets Stage For PGA Cup Showdown

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE PGA
By NAT SYLVESTER, PGA Press Officer.
Great Britain & Ireland fought back from the brink today to give themselves a chance of reclaiming the PGA Cup at The Carrick on Loch Lomond on Sunday.
After trailing 6-2 overnight, Gary Alliss’s team produced a stirring display in the Saturday morning four-balls, which they won 3-1, and then halved the afternoon foursomes 2-2 to sit 9-7 behind going into tomorrow’s final day singles.
A rousing start had been a must for GB&I but they were pushed all the way by Brian Whitcomb’s US team with two of the morning matches extremely close run affairs with the outcome going right down to the last hole.
“It was a very good day’s work,” said Alliss. “We were very motivated this morning because the guys felt they did not play their A game yesterday and were determined to show they can play.
“They gelled well and got used to the greens. Maybe yesterday they tried to make things happen and you can’t force things on these greens.”
Topping off a successful morning for the home side was the Welsh pairing of Andrew Barnett (North Wales Driving Range) and James Lee (Caerphilly), who were playing together for the third successive time this week.
The Welshmen were never in front until the last hole but turned the match with a brilliant iron by Barnett on the par-3 16th which was conceded to square the match.
The pair clinched a one-hole victory on the last when Lippert found a greenside bunker with his second shot while both Welsh boys found the green. Their putts rolled close to the hole and that was enough to win the match after Lippert took two attempts to get his ball out of the sand.
“We knew we needed 3-1,” said Barnett. “We had a talk last night and stressed how important it was to close the gap and we’ve done that this morning. And what it’s all about, that’s why we’re here for these close matches.”
Earlier Paul Simpson (West Berkshire) and Jamie Harris (Nevill GC) secured a point by finally seeing out a rollercoaster battle against Craig Thomas and the previously unbeaten Kyle Flinton.
The score changed hands on the first eight holes until the first half on the ninth - in part due to three birdies and two bogeys from Flinton from the fourth.
However the match was all square at the turn. Simpson sank a birdie at the par-5 11th to put them one up. A bogey from Harris at 14 was recovered at the next as he atoned with a birdie.
The pair then clung on for the final three holes, Simpson sinking a crucial 4ft putt at the last to avoid a half.
“Everyone was really upbeat last night and we were saying after the first day there are still 18 points up for grabs and so much can happen,” said Harris. “You’ve seen it often enough in Ryder Cups and we knew it was important to get some blue on the board early.”
The tone had earlier been set by heavyweight pairing Paul Wesselingh (Kedleston Park) and Jeremy Robinson (Twyford Driving Range), who took on Ryan Benzel and Mike Small.
The GB&I duo saw a two-hole advantage wiped out after the 14th but Wesselingh sank a 20ft birdie putt on the 16th to put them one up before closing out the match 2 and 1 at the next after the US side bogeyed the 17th.
“Yesterday was frustrating because I felt we played well but didn’t get the breaks,” said Wesselingh. “On nine for example I hit the pin and ended 60ft away but it happened to Mike today and that’s match-play.”
Wesselingh and Robinson repeated their successful formula in the afternoon foursomes to chalk up a comprehensive 5 and 4 win against Benzel and Lippert, wrapping up victory with a birdie on the par-3 14th.
Jon Bevan & Andrew Barnett grabbed the second point in the foursomes, running out 2 and 1 winners against Mike Small and Lee Rinker.
Houghwood GC’s Barry Taylor was on the end of a second successive 6 & 5 drubbing in the foursomes alongside Falkirk Tryst’s Craig Matheson. The match saw a dispute on the eighth hole over a conceded putt when Steve Schneiter tapped in without a concession from GB&I who were awarded the hole.
“Even one on the opposing side came up to me and said it was the right decision,” said Alliss. “It was agreed before the matches a concession would be said loudly. I think it’s in the past and I think Craig feels very embarrassed about it.”
US skipper Whitcomb said: “When you play enough golf you see a lot of things, it was an unfortunate situation and I’m glad it made no difference to the outcome but it’s in the past, my guys have forgotten it.”
Later the result in the Americans' favour was amended to 7 and 6 because a wrong ruling had been given.
Harris and Simpson couldn’t repeat their heroics of the morning, going down 2 and 1 to Scott Hebert and Sonny Skinner.
The scene is now set for a thrilling day’s singles tomorrow and Whitcomb says his team is ready for the challenge.
“It’s all to play for. We’re happy where we are, everybody always wishes they have an extra point in their pocket but we’re ready and we look forward to it.”
SATURDAY RESULTS
MORNING FOUR-BALLS
GB&I names first
Paul Wesselingh & Jeremy Robinson bt Ryan Benzel & Mike Small 2 and 1.
Paul Simpson & Jamie Harris bt Craig Thomas & Kyle Flinton 1 hole.
Andrew Barnett & James Lee bt Eric Lippert & Mark Sheftic 1 hole.
Jon Bevan & Will Barnes lost to Steve Schneiter & Scott Hebert 1 hole.
AFTERNOON FOURSOMES
Harris & Simpson lost to Scott Hebert & Sonny Skinner 2 and 1.
Barry Taylor & Craig Matheson lost to Schneiter & Thomas 7 and 6.
Wesselingh & Robinson beat Benzel & Lippert 5 and 4.
Barnett & Bevan beat Small & Lee Rinker 2 and 1.

+For full results of the first and second day's play, log onto www.pgacup.com where the Sunday singles will also be published.