Friday 07/12/2002
July 12, 2002
DOONBEG, County Clare, Ireland – The United States took control of the 2002 Palmer Cup presented by Pennzoil on Friday, winning eight singles matches and defeating Great Britain and Ireland 15.5 to 8.5 at Doonbeg Golf Club.
USA led 4.5 to 3.5 following Thursday’s four-ball and foursomes, and jumped to a quick start in the early singles matches, winning four games and halving two before GB&I tallied their first victory. The Americans earned six of a possible eight points in the breakfast session, which pushed their lead to 10.5 to 5.5 heading into the final round.
Ryan Hybl kept the U.S. momentum going in the afternoon singles, as he carded a 7 and 6 victory over Andy Smith. The win put the United States within one point of clinching the Palmer Cup with seven matches remaining on the course.
Bill Haas then secured the American win with a 2-up victory over Oliver Wilson. Haas defeated Wilson in the morning singles matches by the same score.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the (U.S.) team,” said USA coach Chris Haack. “It was tough going out there this week. GBI played outstanding golf, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for their games.”
While the score appears to be a lop-sided win for the United States, a closer look shows that 15 of the 24 matches were decided on the 18th hole.
Justin Kehoe provided some cheer for the local gallery when he defeated John Klauk 3 and 1 in the afternoon singles. Kehoe, the lone Irishman in the event, led the match early on, but dropped to all-square on the 13th. Kehoe rallied in the home stretch, winning the final three holes and closing out Klauk on the 17th.
Notes The Palmer Cup is the first official competition at this new links. The matches are part of Doonbeg’s grand opening celebration, which included an exhibition between designer Greg Norman and Irishman Padraig Harrington on Tuesday. The last time the Palmer Cup was hosted by Great Britain and Ireland, Team GB&I defeated the U.S. 12.5 to 11.5. The United States has yet to win the Palmer Cup when GB&I hosts (tie in 1998, loss in 2000). This is the first time the matches have been contested in Ireland. The United States leads the series 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. The matches are being filmed by European Tour Productions for a tape-delayed highlight show broadcast on BSKYB in the U.K. and The Golf Channel in the United States. (Dates yet to be announced) Bill Haas of the USA and Justin Walters of GB&I received the inaugural Michael Carter Memorial Award. The award is named in memory of former Penn State University golfer and GCAA Palmer Cup intern Michael Carter, who died in an automobile accident in February. It is presented to one player from each team that best represents Carter, who lived his life to the fullest and loved the game of golf as much as he loved life.
Four-ball Matches Results Doonbeg Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland Thursday, July 11, 2002
GB&I Philip Rowe and Oliver Wilson def. USA Brock Mackenzie and Nick Watney, 1-up
GB&I Andy Smith and Justin Walters def. USA Ryan Hybl and Lee Williamson, 6 and 4
USA John Klauk and Hunter Mahan def. GB&I Geoff Harris and Stuart Manley, 1-up
USA Bill Haas and D.J. Trahan def. GB&I Justin Kehoe and Stuart Wilson, 1-up
Team Points: GB&I 2 to USA 2
Foursomes (Alternate Shot) Results Doonbeg Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland Thursday, July 11, 2002
GB&I Philip Rowe and Oliver Wilson halved with USA Ryan Hybl and Lee Williamson
USA Brock Mackenzie and Nick Watney def. GB&I Andy Smith and Justin Walters, 6 and 4
GB&I Geoff Harris and Stuart Manley def. USA John Klauk and Hunter Mahan, 5 and 4
USA Bill Haas and D.J. Trahan def. GB&I Justin Kehoe and Stuart Wilson, 2 and 1
Team Points: USA 4.5 to GB&I 3.5
Morning Singles Matches Results Doonbeg Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland Friday, July 12, 2002
USA Bill Haas def. GB&I Oliver Wilson, 2-up
USA Nick Watney def. GB&I Philip Rowe, 1-up
USA John Klauk def. GB&I Geoff Harris, 2-up
GB&I Stuart Manley halved with USA Ryan Hybl
GB&I Stuart Wilson halved with USA Brock Mackenzie
USA Lee Williamson def. GB&I Andy Smith, 3 and 2
GB&I Justin Walters def. USA Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1
USA D.J. Trahan def. GB&I Justin Kehoe, 3 and 2
Team Points: USA 10.5 to GB&I 5.5
Afternoon Singles Matches Results Doonbeg Golf Club, County Clare, Ireland Friday, July 12, 2002
USA John Klauk def. GB&I Justin Kehoe, 3 and 1
USA Ryan Hybl def. GB&I Justin Walters, 7 and 6
GB&I Stuart Manley halved with USA Lee Williamson
GB&I Andy Smith halved with USA Hunter Mahan
GB&I Geoff Harris halved with USA D.J. Trahan
Team Points: USA 15.5 to GB&I 8.5
USA Individual Records Bill Haas 4-0 D.J. Trahan 3-0-1 Nick Watney 3-1 John Klauk 2-2 Ryan Hybl 1-1-2 Brock Mackenzie 1-1-2 Lee Williamson 1-1-2 Hunter Mahan 1-2-1 Team Total 16-8-8
GB&I Individual Records Justin Walters 2-2 Stuart Manley 1-1-2 Philip Rowe 1-2-1 Andy Smith 1-2-1 Geoff Harris 1-2-1 Oliver Wilson 1-2-1 Justin Kehoe 1-3 Stuart Wilson 0-2-2 Team Total 8-16-8
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