Byrd Leads United States to Victory

June 13, 1999

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Clemson All-American Jonathan Byrd (Columbia, SC) won all four matches he was involved in over the weekend, leading the United States to a 17.5 to 6.5 victory over the team from Great Britain/Ireland at the third annual Palmer Cup. The event, played The Honor’s Course near Chattanooga, matched collegiate players from the United States vs. collegiate players from Great Britain and Ireland.

Byrd, who was named first-team All-American and first-team Academic All-American last week, teamed with Ben Curtis to defeat Max Harris and Kyron Sullivan, 3 and 2 in best ball action on Saturday morning. In the afternoon, during alternate shot competition, Byrd teamed with Michael Morrison, an All-American at Georgia, in defeating Oliver Lindsay and Andrew White, by the same 3 and 2 score.

On Sunday, Byrd won both of his singles matches. The rising Clemson senior soundly defeated Lindsay, 6 and 4 in the morning, then defeated his Clemson teammate, Michael Hoey, 3 and 1.

Clemson had three of its current golfers in this prestigious event. Rising junior John Engler, also named a first-team All-American last week, had a record of 1-3 in his matches. Engler, a native of Augusta, GA, joined Georgia Tech All-American Bryce Molder in defeating Hoey and Johnny Foster of Great Britain, 4 and 3. In the afternoon, Engler and Ben Curtis lost to Johnny Foster and Kyron Sullivan 1-up. It was the only match of the day that went to the 18th hole. On Sunday in singles play, Engler lost to Andrew White, 2-up, then dropped a 3 & 2 decision to NCAA champion Luke Donald (Northwestern), 3 & 2.

Freshman Michael Hoey was 0-4 on the weekend, but played well in his two singles matches to a pair of first-team All-Americans on Sunday. The native of Ireland lost to Byrd, 3 & 1, then dropped a close 2&1 decision to Molder.

Results involving Clemson players at Palmer Cup June 12-13 at Honors Course, Chattanooga, TN

Saturday AM  (Best Ball)Bryce Molder & John Engler (USA) d. Michael Hoey and Johnny Foster (GBI)     4 & 3Ben Curtis & Jonathan Byrd (USA) d. Max Harris and Kyron Sullivan (GBI)      3 & 2

Saturday PM (Alternate Shot) Johnny Foster & Kyron Sullivan (GBI) d. John Engler & Ben Curtis 1-up Michael Morrison & Jonathan Byrd (USA) d. Oliver Lindsay & Andrew White 3 & 2 Hank Kuehne & Jeremy Anderson (USA) d. Phillip Rowe and Michael Hoey (GBI) 3 & 2

Sunday Singles Results Jonathan Byrd (USA) d. Oliver Lindsay (GBI) 6 & 4 Jonathan Byrd (USA) d. Michael Hoey (GBI) 3 & 1 Andrew White (GBI) d. John Engler (USA) 2-up Luke Donald (GBI) d. John Engler (USA) 3 & 2 Bryce Molder (USA) d. Michael Hoey (GBI) 2 & 1