USA demolish GB&I to win the Curtis Cup in New York
For GB&I, this looked to be an uphill battle even before the first tee shot was struck at Quaker Ridge.
Indeed, all eight members of the U.S. team ranked inside of the top-22 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. They were spearheaded by world No.1, Lilia Vu, the current U.S. Amateur Champion, Sophia Schubert, and Lucy Li, the 15-year-old who made history when qualifying for the U.S. Open aged 11.
As for GB&I, led by Elaine Farquharson-Black, the average world ranking was 82.
There was hope, though, particularly after defeating the USA two years ago at Dun Laoghaire in Dublin.
And that hope was carried into the first session on Friday when GB&I were staring a whitewash in the face, but Olivia Mehaffey and Sophie Lamb turned around their match when 3-down to salvage a half, and then Paula Grant rolled in a big birdie putt on the 18th to halve her match alongside Shannon McWilliam against Lauren Stephenson and Schubert.
What a way to wrap up Friday Four-Ball! @paula_grant rolls in a birdie putt to give 🇬🇧 and 🇮🇪 another big half. At the break, the 🇺🇸 leads, 2-1. Friday Foursomes begin at 3:40 p.m. EDT. Visit https://t.co/CJCrU5DC0V for full coverage. pic.twitter.com/fgYOaJjAvh
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
At the conclusion of play on Friday, GB&I were down 4-2 – a more than respectable scoreline.
But the U.S. came out firing on Saturday, and Farquharson-Black’s side had almost no response.
All three morning fourball matches went to the U.S., and they won another two matches in the afternoon session, with Mehaffey and Lamb providing some respite for GB&I when they defeated Jennifer Kupcho and Vu 2&1.
And so the U.S. headed into the final day with a commanding 9-3 lead. With eight points still up for grabs, GB&I still had a chance, but an admittedly slim one against a ruthless U.S. side.
Schubert got early points on the board as she saw off Mehaffey, while Vu defeated Lamb to put the match almost beyond reach for the GB&I team.
Things would then go from bad to worse, as the final six matches were all won by the U.S. team. Kristen Gillman struck the final blow, as she dominated Annabell Fuller to win 5&4 and seal the win for the U.S.
With her fifth win of the competition, Kristen Gillman (@kristengillman) clinches the #CurtisCup for 🇺🇸! Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/oRRY53FjhH
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 10, 2018
The 17-3 win was the largest margin of victory in the history of the competition.
It was a hugely disappointing week for GB&I, but they will be looking to win back the trophy on home soil in 2020 when they face off against the U.S. at Conwy Golf Club in Wales.
Best moments
Reigning #USWomensAm champ Sophia Schubert closes out her Sunday Singles victory over Olivia Mehaffey and 🇺🇸 is only a half-point away from officially reclaiming the #CurtisCup! pic.twitter.com/Mcf2EqF5fC
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 10, 2018
Sophie Lamb is going toe to toe with the top-ranked amateur in the game right now. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/TvMLTQLxAq
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 10, 2018
🇬🇧&🇮🇪 didn't have the day it was hoping for, but Sophie Lamb and Olivia Mehaffey made sure it ended on a strong note. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/UabxkBHmlf
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 9, 2018
Shannon McWilliam applied the pressure, but Andrea Lee had a response. Lilia Vu and Mariel Galdiano followed with a victory to complete a 🇺🇸 sweep in Saturday Four-Ball. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/QvK49GbzSE
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 9, 2018
This putt didn't drop, but it was good enough to put the first points of the day on the board for 🇺🇸. Watch the end of the #CurtisCup coverage on @FS1. pic.twitter.com/xcWnZOTPkl
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 9, 2018
Comeback in the offing? Alice Hewson and Annabell Fuller got two back for GB&I at the turn. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/ARmgThuCYi
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 9, 2018
Lucy Li decided to skip the putting green on No. 7. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/bQCOsRlrM5
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 9, 2018
It was a tight match throughout, but @jenniferkupcho and @TheLiliaVu had the upper hand in the end, winning, 2 up, to give the 🇺🇸 a 4-2 lead heading into Saturday! #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/gleu7uwjQ7
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
The 🇺🇸 takes the lead back in style. @KristenGillman and @LaurenSteph1 leave no doubt in their 4-and-2 victory to move their squad ahead, 3-2! #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/ehzGrRoEZ0
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
Tied ballgame. @sophielamb97 and @OliviaMehaffey close out Andrea Lee and Mariel Galdiano on the 16th hole to even up the #CurtisCup at 2-2! pic.twitter.com/gXOtz31cHc
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
They halved the hole, but this could still be a turning point in the match. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/8EBHvQtCuO
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
What a way to wrap up Friday Four-Ball! @paula_grant rolls in a birdie putt to give 🇬🇧 and 🇮🇪 another big half. At the break, the 🇺🇸 leads, 2-1. Friday Foursomes begin at 3:40 p.m. EDT. Visit https://t.co/CJCrU5DC0V for full coverage. pic.twitter.com/fgYOaJjAvh
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
Oh hello, @Sophia_Marie16! This long birdie putt puts the 🇺🇸 1 up heading to 18, ensuring at least a half. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/zgUpRdbfl5
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
What a rally! @OliviaMehaffey earns a crucial half with partner Sophie Lamb after trailing 3 down with six holes remaining, putting GB&I on the board. #CurtisCup pic.twitter.com/z57G72QBHM
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
Drain-O! The 🇺🇸 posts the first point of the 40th #CurtisCup Match thanks to this 🐦 by @kristengillman. Tune in to @FS1 for the conclusion of Friday Four-Ball matches. pic.twitter.com/WWoQhQVVT5
— The Curtis Cup (@CurtisCup) June 8, 2018
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