Simon Thornton earned a point as Great Britain and Ireland whitewashed Team USA in the afternoon fourballs to lead 6-2 after the opening day of the PGA Cup at the K Club.
Thornton and Ash Mansell dovetailed beautifully to beat Brian Bergstol and Brendon Bingaman 2UP courtesy of a conceded eagle on the last. The hosts are bidding for just their eighth PGA Cup title and first since 2017.
PGA in Ireland captain Thornton led out GB&I in the opening foursomes tie but he and Matt Ford were beaten 5&4 by Ben Kern and Michael Kartrude. Thornton avenged his morning defeat and he was delighted to get a point on the board on home soil.
“I’m relieved to be fair, started off OK and then it was brutal weather like our Belmullet days on the Irish region. Me and Ash dovetailed well and gave each other chances and gave each other runs at it. We are delighted to get over the line,” said Thornton.
There were also fourball wins for Scottish duo Graeme Robertson and Gavin Hay and Ben Amor and Toby Hunt who also avenged a morning loss to complete the sweep. But the story of the day came in match three when James Freeman had a sensational hole in one on the 2nd as he and Gareth Davies eased to a 5&4 win.
“I’ll remember that one forever. It’s my seventh hole in one,” beamed the Rotherham Golf Club man who also has a 59 to his name.
“To see the shot disappear, it was a tough shot hit it left hand side, one bounce bit of release and went in. What a moment, brilliant for us both to get the game square. It’s great to do it but ultimately it’s only a win on one hole so we had to press on. It’s the moment of my career I couldn’t have picked a better time to do it.”
A dramatic finish to the morning foursomes saw the hosts halve the session at two points apiece courtesy of some heroics from Freeman and Davies.
Having trailed 2-1, the third match against Zach Haynes and Sapp went the distance. The GB&I pair of Freeman and Davies came from 1DN with three to play to win on the 18th.
Superb winning putts on 16 and 17 from Freeman turned the game on its head and after Freeman almost completed a sensational hat trick of winning putts as his 70-foot eagle effort somehow turned its nose up at the hole, the Americans putt for eagle stayed above ground.
In the top match Thornton and Ford lost control around the turn and were beaten 5&4 by Kern and Kartrude as the USA put the first point on the board.
Shortly the Scottish duo of Robertson and Hay levelled the tie with a 4&3 win over Austin Hurt and Ryan Lehahan.
It looked like the Americans were going to take control of the contest early on after Tyler Collett and Jesse Droemer won the anchor match 3&2 thanks as they pulled away with two birdies in three holes to win the 14th, 15th and 16th. But there was to be a twist in the tail through Davies and Freeman who provided late fireworks to ensure things we level pegging going into the afternoon fourballs.
As the weather turned sour with strong winds and nasty showers, GB&I began the fourball session well, going ahead in all four matches heading into the back nine and they never looked back and GB&I captain David Scott was beaming with joy and felt the horrendous afternoon conditions favoured his charges.
Freeman’s moment of glory set he and Gareth Davies on their way to a 5&3 win over Garrett Sapp and Austin Hurt. Thornton and Mansell’s win was backed up by Graeme Robertson and Gavin Hay, and Toby Hunt and Ben Amor as they trounced the US side in horrendous afternoon conditions.
GB&I skipper David Scott was very pleased with the scoreline but warned of a US rally.
“The weather really turned nasty out there but most of my guys on the first tee were smiling like Cheshire cats. Our guys have experienced it and their mindset was positive, they went out there thinking bring it on, let’s do this. Everyone played great, a lot of birdies, a lot of great support and teamwork. For Simon and Ash to win 2UP was huge it was key to have a clean sheet.
“We are 40% there or so and the weather is getting an awful lot better so I am sure the Americans will have a word to say about tomorrow but we will be ready for them. We are excited to be in this position but we will keep our feet on the ground.
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