Team USA struck the first blow of Ryder Cup week as their youngsters earned their sixth consecutive victory in the junior edition of the biennial contest.
The visiting side snatched a thrilling 12½-11½ win at Golf Disneyland in Paris as a valiant European fightback on the second day came up agonisingly short.
The two-day tournament, which comprises of two teams of 12 of the best male and female junior players from Europe and the United States, began on Monday morning with foursomes, which saw the Americans take a 4-2 lead, followed by mixed fourballs in the afternoon – where the US side extended their advantage to 7½-4½.
Entering the final day’s singles with a three-point lead, the Americans made the perfect start when Lucy Li overcame Sweden’s Amanda Linner 4&3 in the opening match. But Europe rallied with Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard winning back-to-back matches to take Europe to within two points of their rivals.
Team USA’s Yealimi Noh immediately struck back with a 3&2 triumph over Austria’s Emma Spitz, and after Rose Zhang birdied the final two holes to halve against Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad the Americans needed only two points from seven matches to retain the title they won at Interlachen Country Club two years ago.
A spirited performance from the home team earned four-and-a-half points from the remaining seven singles, but victories from Ricky Castillo and Michael Thorbjornsen, followed by a half point from Rachel Heck in her match against Surey’s Annabell Fuller, clinched a sixth straight outright win.
Europe’s brave effort on the final day was made all the more emotional after European Captain Maitena Alsuguren withdrew from the event ahead of the singles following the death of her father.Vice-captain Richard Heath, who stepped in to lead the side, said: “”I feel for our team, as they wanted to win this for Maitena. We can’t imagine how difficult a time it is for her at the moment, but I know she will be very proud of what this team did today.”
He added: “We enjoyed ourselves and it was a great week. Everyone expects the Junior Ryder Cup to be something special and it really proved to be that this year. The players have been really enthusiastic, they have been doing everything right and we really tried to go after the Americans today – I am really proud of how they played.”
US captain Allen Wronowski said: “I feel so proud of this group of people. We buckled down and won on a tough final day. Europe had great players, and it went down to the final couple of matches – it was very exciting. These are memories that these players will take with them for the rest of their lives.”