USA WIN 7TH SUCCESSIVE CURTIS CUP:USA 12.5 GB&I 7.5

The 36th Curtis Cup match took place at the Essex County Club, Boston MA, USA as GB&I went in search of their first win in the biennial contest since 1996 in Killarney.It ended in another defeat by 5 points against a strong US team.

Friday, June 11: GB&I 3.5 USA 2.5
The 36th Curtis Cup got underway and finished with the GB&I side leading by one point over their American counterparts, at the Essex County Club, Boston MA, USA. The three morning foursomes ties were all halved before the GB&I gained the lead through wins in the fourball session of play from Ireland's Danielle McVeigh and Pamela Pretswell of Scotland.They were 7 under par better ball to win 4/3.Lisa Maguire who partnered Scot Sally Watson got a vital win at the 16th to nose in front and halved the last 2 holes for an important one hole victory.
Leona Maguire and her partner Rachel Jennings were level after 10 holes against the very impressive 15 year old Alexis Thompson and Jennifer Johnston.They had to admit defeat on the 16th after birdies at the 11th,12th & 16th holes by Alexis & Jennifer.


Morning Foursomes Results
Sally Watson & Rachel Jennings halved with Jennifer Song & Jennifer Johnson
Hannah Barwood & Holly Clyburn halved with Alexis Thompson & Jessica Korda
Danielle McVeigh & Leona Maguire halved with Cydney Clanton & Stephanie Kono

Afternoon Fourball Results
Danielle McVEIGH & Pamela PRETSWELL bt Jennifer SONG & Kimberly KIM 4&3
Rachel JENNINGS & Leona MAGUIRE lost to Alexis THOMPSON & Jennifer JOHNSON 3&2
Sally WATSON & Lisa MAGUIRE bt Jessica KORDA & Tiffany LUA 1 UP

Saturday, June 12 (DAY 2)
GB&I 0 USA 6
The second day of the 36th Curtis Cup saw the GB&I side crash to a 6-0 defeat by the Americans. This result now saw the host team with a five point advantage heading into the final day singles series of matches,meaning that they require just 1.5 of the eight matches on offer to retain the cup,while 2 points would see them win the cup outright for the seventh time in a row.

The Maguire twins played together in the morning fourballs and did very well to reach the 16th green as Jennifer Song & Cydney Clanton were 9 under par better ball for the 16 holes. Danielle Mc Veigh & Pamela Pretswell went down on the 17th to a 6 under par score from Alexis Thompson & Jessica Korda.

The afternoon foursomes were another disaster for GB&I as the Americans won all 3 matches to take a 5 point lead heading into the final day's singles.
Danielle Mc Veigh was back playing with Leona Maguire but once again they fell foul of the brilliance of Alexis Thompson & Jessica Korda. They managed late birdies at the 15th & 17th to see off the Irish pair on the 17th green.


Morning Fourball Results (GB&I 0 USA 3)
Danielle McVEIGH & Pamela PRETSWELL lost to Alexis THOMPSON & Jessica KORDA 2&1
Leona MAGUIRE & Lisa MAGUIRE lost to Jennifer SONG & Cydney CLANTON 3&2
Sally WATSON & Rachel JENNINGS lost to Stephanie KONO & Kimberly KIM 1 Down

Afternoon Foursomes Results (GB&I 0 USA 3)
Danielle McVEIGH & Leona MAGUIRE lost to Alexis THOMPSON & Jessica KORDA 3&1
Hannah BARWOOD & Holly CLYBURN lost to Jennifer SONG & Stephanie KONO 3&1
Sally WATSON & Rachel JENNINGS lost to Tiffany LUA & Jennifer JOHNSON 3&2

The 3 Irish girls won their singles matches,leaving the singles results even at 4 games each.This gave the US a 5 point winning margin overall.The oldest member of the team,22 year old Danielle Mc Veigh from Kilkeel in Co.Down playing at No1 give the GB&I team some hope when she defeated Jennifer Song on the 16th green.An eagle 3 at the 5th gave Danielle a one hole advantage and she never looked back.She birdied and parred her way to a 4 up by the time she reached the 13th and even though Jennifer birdied the 15th to claw one back,Mc Veigh finished the game at the next with a half in par.

The amazing talent of the 15 year old Cavan twins was on show and they didn't disappoint.Lisa had a tough game against Kimberly Kim only getting in front at the 15th hole.She held her nerve and golf game together to halve the last 3 holes for a one hole victory.

Leona got in front as early as the second hole against Tiffany Lua and held on to her advantage throughout the game.She finished the game on the 17th green.

The only other GB&I winner was England.s Holly Clyburn in the final match.She defeated Stephanie Kono by a 2/1 margin.


Sunday, June 13 (DAY 3)
GB&I 4 USA 4

Singles Results
Danielle McVEIGH bt Jennifer SONG 3&2
Sally WATSON lost to Alexis THOMPSON 6&5
Rachel JENNINGS lost to Jennifer JOHNSON 5&4
Lisa MAGUIRE bt Kimberly KIM 1 UP
Hannah BARWOOD lost to Cydney CLANTON 4&3
Leona MAGUIRE bt Tiffany LUA 2&1
Pamela PRETSWELL lost to Jessica KORDA 4&3
Holly CLYBURN bt Stephanie KONO 2&1