Stuart Grehan and Eliot Baker breathed a sigh of relief when they saw world number one Preston Stout miss a five foot putt for the win on the 18th as they got out of their opening foursomes match with a half point to help Great Britain and Ireland into a 2.5-1.5 lead over Team USA at Lahinch.
A share of the spoils was a fair result as there was never more than one hole between the sides. GB&I edged in front when Grehan drove the par-4 13th with a 3-wood to set up a birdie and they were 1UP with three to play before Stout drained a 25-foot birdie putt on 16 to draw level.
The packed crowd gasped in disbelief when Baker lipped out on 17 for a half to send GB&I one down heading to the 18th tee. The home pair had a look of resignation on their face as Stout stood up for his birdie putt on 18 but were sheepish in their relief when his putt lipped out.
“It was so cool, really cool. There was a lot of people out there which was really nice and the majority were pulling for us which was really cool. I think a half match was a fair result in the end, there was never more than a hole in it.
“I was expecting the match to go to 18, I was surprised Eliot missed on 17 I’m sure he was as well but we said it was going to go to 18 anyway so happy to get the half in the end. A half point was a fair result with some good stuff in there.”
Grehan, making his second successive appearance, hit the opening tee shot for GB&I at half past eight.
“It was unreal, it was really cool. I was really nervous before I got on the tee but when I got on the tee I was quite calm and went into my process. Hit a nice one up there and once that happens the nerves go. I’m playing well and pretty comfortable in what I am doing.”
Elsewhere, Niall Sheils Donegan and Josh Hill were comfortable 4&3 winners over Josiah Gilbert and Ryder Cowan in the anchor match while Tyler Weaver and three-time Walker Cup player Connor Graham edged a classic with Jay Leng Jr and Kihei Akina on the 18th.
USA did get some red on the board in match two as the two lefties Tyler Watts and Miles Russell edged English duo Luke Poulter and Sam Easterbrook 1UP. The hosts had levelled affairs from 3DN and were desperately unlucky to see Easterbrook lip out on 18 for a birdie which would have secured a half point.
Grehan is back in action for the afternoon singles in the top match against world number one Preston Stout at 14:02.
Leave a comment