David Kitt was beaten in both of his matches as the Internationals and USA could not be separated heading into the final day singles in Switzerland.
The Maynooth University student suffered losses alongside James Leow in the morning foursomes before also coming out on the wrong side of a result with Lorna McClymont as they resumed their partnership in the afternoon mixed foursomes at Club Golf de Geneve.
The Athenry native went down 3&1 and 2&1 to Michael Brennan and Palmer Jackson before being narrowly beaten 2&1 in the afternoon to Sam Bennett and Erica Shepherd as the visiting USA side overcame an overnight and Saturday morning deficit to level affairs at 18 apiece.
Olivia Mitchell/Calynne Rosholt of the United States got out early and often on Carolina Chacarra/Julia Lopez Ramirez, carding five birdies en route to their 6&5 victory in 13 holes.
“We had such a good flow going,” Rosholt said. “We’ve known each other since our junior golf days, so for us to come together at one of the biggest golf tournaments for college golfers and experience this together is unreal,” said Mitchell.
Rosholt and Mitchell, both Texas natives, felt the comfort of the golf course throughout the round, finishing with a birdie on 13 to secure the win.
“It felt like we were in really good control and it worked out that, on the holes we played, the course matched our golf games”
Nick Gabrelcik/Dylan Menante only led once on the back nine but birdied three of their last four holes to defeat Team International’s Archie Davies/Christo Lamprecht 1-up and give the United States another morning point.
“Nick’s irons were unbelievable today,” Menante said. “He kept giving me eight feet, so it was really nice that I had a lot of short putts.”
Team International gained separation with wins in Matches 15, 20, 21, 22, and 23 to maintain the lead heading into Round 3. Match 23 between Ludvig Åberg/Albin Bergstrom and Americans Johnny Keefer/Michael Thorbjornsen saw an Åberg eagle on 15 to win the match for Team International.
Match 20 included five birdies by Amelia Williamson/Lorna McClymont for the 5&4 victory over Anna Morgan/Latanna Stone of Team USA to put the hosts 13-11 in front.
“We were both really consistent and played well,” Williamson said. “Neither of us made big mistakes, which is always a crucial part of playing foursomes.”
Even though her first putt wasn’t until their 10th hole, McClymont thought that the greens helped boost their play.
“The greens were nice and quick, so we were able to put a nice roll on the ball rather than having to force it,” she said.
Heading into Mixed Foursomes this afternoon, Williamson said that it’s “nice to mix things up and have each person’s momentum going into a new group.”
The thrilling afternoon began with Match 25. Josele Ballester/Carolina Chacarra of Team International was 2-up against Nick Gabrelcik/Rachel Heck of the United States through 14, but birdies on three of the last four holes gave the United States the lead after 17. Ballester made the Internationals’ par putt on 18 to tie it at match’s end.
“Whether we were up or down, we stayed positive and in it mentally,” Heck said. “If you would’ve told us on 14 that we’d tie, we would’ve taken it. I’m really proud of how we fought.”
After Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Chiara Tamburlini defeated Gurleen Kaur/Walker Lee to give Team International an 18-14 lead, four strong finishes gave the United States energy heading into tomorrow’s final round.
“We had a hot start, and if we lost a hole, we got over it fast and kept it going,” said Amari Avery, who defeated Kajsa Arwefjäll/Albin Bergstrom 4 & 3 with Gordon Sargent. “We made a sloppy bogey at the 15th and they made big momentum putts to tie the holes on 16, 17, and 18, but we were able to win on No.1 and cruise from there,” Sargent said.
Americans Michael Thorbjornsen/Rose Zhang, paired together for the second time in three rounds, birdied 8 (their 17th hole of the round) to go 1-up on Adrien Dumont de Chassart/Ashley Lau in the compelling Match 34. Both parred 9 to cut the United States deficit to 18-17.
The round concluded with one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament thus far. Rachel Kuehn parred the 16th hole with a momentus reaction after Team International’s Frederik Kjettrup hit a tee shot off the flagstick, then her American and Wake Forest counterpart Michael Brennan sunk a triumphant 30-foot par putt to tie the 17th hole and maintain their 1-up lead over Frederik Kjettrup/Aline Krauter.
“This tournament brings out the emotion and competitiveness in all of us,” said Kuehn. “Frederik’s tee shot staying out gave us some life for Michael to make that putt.”
Kuehn’s words for Brennan prior to his putt were simple: “it’d be a great time to roll one in.” “And it worked out very nicely.”
Both teams parred 18 to finish the day all square.
“It’s easy when you’re paired with a partner this good, but I’m glad we could close it out down the stretch.”
Gabrelcik said that he and his teammates can build from today’s action heading into tomorrow’s final round.
“We’re going to take how we played today and go into tomorrow with confidence,” he said.
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