Clemson Golfers Fare Well At Palmer Cup

Aug. 16, 2000

Liverpool, England – Phillip Rowe of Great Britain/Ireland sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to halve his match with former Clemson All-American Jonathan Byrd and give his team a 12.5 to 11.5 victory over the United States in the Palmer Cup at Liverpool, England. It was the first time GBI had beaten the United States in the four years of the two-day event.

The United States team of eight golfers was led by three Clemson golfers. In addition to Byrd, who graduated from Clemson last Saturday, rising seniors Lucas Glover and John Engler were also competing for the United States. Byrd scored three of the United States 11.5 points. He finished his two years on the Palmer Cup team with a 6-0-2 record. Engler scored 1.5 points, posting a 1-2-1 record, while Glover was 1-3 in his four matches. Overall, the three Clemson golfers scored 5.5 of the United States 11.5 points in the event.

The GBI team led, 12-11, with one match remaining. In that match Byrd lead Rowe, 1-up, with one hole to play. Rowe needed to win the18th hole and halve the match to earn a half-point to give his team the cup, while Byrd needed only to halve the hole to win the match and to give his team the victory.

In a battle of ex-Walker Cuppers, both players reached the par-4 18th hole in two. After Byrd lagged to 4 1/2 feet, Rowe conceded the par putt. Needing to make his 20-foot birdie putt for the victory, the Stanford sophomore calmly stepped up and nailed it for the 12.5-11.5 win at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. “I’d made my mind up to give him his par wherever he lagged putt to,” said Rowe. “I didn’t want to put myself in that situation of forcing him to hole a losing putt.”

The U.S. began the afternoon singles matches trailing, 9-7, but appeared in good shape to win the cup. Rowe, who was 4-down at the turn, rallied by making birdies on Nos.10 and 13 then watched as Byrd three-putted No. 15 to cut the deficit to one, setting up the final-hole showdown.

Wednesday AFTERNOON SINGLES Graeme McDowell def. Lucas Glover, 1 up Andy Miller def. Max Harris, 3 and 2 Nick Cassini def. Joel Hendry, 1 up Chris Wisler def. Kyron Sullivan, 5 and 4 Jamie Elson def. John Engler, 1 up Mark Booker def. Jeff Klauk, 4 and 3 Andy Sanders def. Simon Robinson, 3 and 2 Phillip Rowe halved with Jonathan Byrd

MORNING SINGLES Graeme McDowell (GB&I) def. Lucas Glover, 6 and 4. Joel Hendry (GB&I) def. Andy Miller, 3 and 2. Max Harris (GB&I) halved with Nick Cassini Jonathan Byrd (U.S.) def. Jamie Elson, 1-up. John Engler (U.S.) def. Simon Robinson, 3 and 2 Mark Booker (GB&I) def. Andy Sanders, 3 and 2. Chris Wisler (U.S.) def. Kyron Sullivan, 3 and 2. Phillip Rowe (GB&I) def. Jeff Klauk, 1-up

August 15th MORNING FOUR-BALL MATCHES Max Harris and Jamie Elson (GBI) def. Andy Sanders and Nick Cassini, 3 & 2. Andy Miller and Lucas Glover (US) def. Mark Booker & Joel Hendry, 5 & 3. Graeme McDowell and Kyron Sullivan (GBI) def. Jeff Klauk and Chris Wisler, 2-up. Jonathan Byrd (US) halved Phillip Rowe & Simon Robinson.

AFTERNOON FOURSOMES (Alternate Shots) Andy Miller and Andy Sanders (US) def. Max Harris and Jamie Elson, 5 & 3. Nick Cassini & Jonathan Byrd (US) def. Mark Booker & Joel Hendry, 5 & 4. Graeme McDowell & Simon Robinson (GBI) def. John Engler & Chris Wisler, 1-up. Phillip Rowe and Kyron Sullivan (GBI) def. Jeff Klaus and Lucas Glover, 3 & 1.