The U.S. facet (above) has jumped out to an early two-point lead on the Bridges Cup.
Oisin Keniry
By means of the primary of three days of play on the 2024 Bridges Cup, the U.S.’s staff of 12 elite mid-amateurs finds itself in a well-recognized place: atop the leaderboard, with a 6-4 benefit over the Worldwide facet.
With 10 matches — and 10 factors — up for grabs at Haesley 9 Bridges in Korea on the opening day, the Individuals, who prevailed within the first two editions of the occasion, gained 5 of six of matches within the morning fourball periods earlier than the Internationals charged again within the afternoon foursomes periods, successful three of 4 out there factors.
Lukas Michel and Jacob Austin of the Internationals gained the opening match within the morning fourballs, however the U.S. dominated the remainder of the session. All 5 of the remaining matches went the best way of the Individuals, with every being closed out earlier than the 18th gap. By the point the groups adjourned for lunch, the U.S. held a commanding 5-1 lead.
“Group USA undoubtedly had extra strut this morning,” mentioned Simon Holmes, a golf skilled and Bridges Cup commentator who’s onsite this week in Korea. “They simply sprinted forward and gained their matches convincingly.”
In a lot the identical trend because the Internationals finally month’s Presidents Cup, this staff of Worldwide confirmed loads of pluck within the second session. After a pep discuss from captain Simon Holt, they returned for the afternoon foursomes session with a renewed sense of urgency.
“We’ve actually sort of thrown the kitchen sink at it,” Holt mentioned. “However we’ve acquired a staff stuffed with leaders and 4 pairs who’re enjoying properly with one another … All we are able to [do] is see what occurs this afternoon.”
As soon as once more, the staff of Michel and Austin got here out within the first match of the session and blitzed their opponents, successful 4 and three. However this time, the remainder of the staff capitalized on the optimistic momentum because the Internationals gained three of the 4 afternoon matches to tug inside two factors of the U.S. by day’s finish.
“The Internationals had a very good pep discuss and confirmed some grit within the afternoon,” Holmes mentioned. “Group USA was tremendous snug with the quick begin, however the Internationals confirmed their expertise by the top of the day.”
Dat 2 of the Bridges Cup will function six fourball matches, adopted by 12 singles matches on Day 3. With 30 factors up for grabs, the U.S. wants 15 factors to retain the Cup, whereas the Internationals want 15.5 factors to assert it.
For full outcomes and dwell scoring from the 2024 Bridges Cup, click on right here. Beneath are the entire outcomes from the primary two periods:
DAY 1 FOURBALL RESULTS:
DAY 1 FOURSOMES RESULTS:
