Hugh Foley and Matthew McClean will end the Bridges Cup in Korea with a 100% record as a partnership after securing two comprehensive victories in both foursomes and fourball matches on day two.
Pitting a dozen of the leading mid-amateurs from the United States against a dozen top internationals in Ryder Cup format, the two Irishmen both lost their opening fourball matches with different partners before being paired together for a 3&2 win over Scott Strickland and Peter Tomasulo in the afternoon foursomes on day one. It was a session that the Internationals won 3-1 having gone down 5-1 in the opening session.
Unsurprisingly, they were sent out again in the morning fourball matches on day two and were in devastating form as they covered their 15 holes in seven-under and cruised to a 5&3 win. The session would finish three points apiece, leaving the United States leading by two with the afternoon foursomes and final-day singles yet to come.
The U.S. lead would remain two points at the end of the day, but once again Foley and McClean would be the star performers, not making a single bogey in the alternate shot format and birdieing the first, fourth, fifth and 13th holes on their way to a 5&4 victory.
With two matches remaining on course – the internationals 1UP through 17 and the U.S. 1UP through 15 – play was suspended for darkness, leaving the United States leading by 10 points to 8 and needing 16 points to retain the trophy and 16.5 to win.
Internationals captain Simon Holt, targeting a fast start to the singles and avoided a third successive Bridges Cup defeat for his side, has opted to lead off strong, with McClean playing in the opening match against Scott Strickland and Foley taking on Peter Tomasulo in match number two.
Australian Lukas Michel and Jacob Austin are the only undefeated players in the International ranks, and they go out in third and fourth respectively, following the conclusion of their foursomes match that will restart on the 18th.
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