June 30, 2012
Newcastle, Northern Ireland – Europe claimed seven of eight matches and halved the other to stage a dramatic comeback and claim the 2012 Palmer Cup at The Royal County Down Golf Club. Team Europe overcame a four-point deficit to win 13.5-10.5.
The all-time Palmer Cup results now stands 8-7-1 in favor of the United States.
Georgia Tech’s James White was only three of eight Americans to take his singles match to the 18th hole, but David Booth earned the clinching point for the Europeans with a 2-up victory. Booth built a big lead early in the match winning Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 9 for a 4-up lead at the turn. White battled back using victories at the 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th to square the match. Booth regained the lead when White bogeyed 17 and win No. 18 for the victory.
“After the first day we were very disappointed, of course, and we had a long meeting,” said Europe Coach Rickard Lindberg. “I told them that we could still win this because there were a lot of points out there. I just wanted them to all believe that they could do it and they would have to go deep down within themselves to find something. Yesterday was good. We were pretty much in the same place we were today. We didn’t have the lucky bounces like we did today but today was unreal. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys or their performance. They really took on the situation and they really gave it a shot and came through on top. It was just unreal.”
Daan Huizing started Europe’s run by downing Justin Thomas 4 and 3. Sebastian Cappelen continued the charge for team Europe with a 3 and 2 win against Chris Williams. Julien Brun set the tone early in his match against Blayne Barber by taking the first hole with eagle in his 6 and 5 victory. Robert Karlsson tied the overall team standings downing Patrick Rodgers 2 and 1.
USA’s Corbin Mills led most of his match against Thomas Pieters, but Pieters rallied to tie the match in the end, and Mills got the Americans’ only score of the day, a half-point. Graeme Robertson defeated Derek Ernst, 2 and 1, to take the team lead for Europe.
After Booth’s win over White, Pontus Widegren put the icing on the cake for Team Europe by downing Andrew Yun 3 and 1.
Palmer Cup
The Royal County Down Golf Club
June 30
Europe Defeats United States 13.5-10.5 to
Round Four Singles Match Results
Sebastian Cappelen, Europe def. Chris Williams, USA, 3 and 2
Daan Huizing, Europe def. Justin Thomas, USA, 4 and 3
Robert Karlsson, Europe def. Patrick Rodgers, USA, 2 and 1
Thomas Pieters, Europe halved Corbin Mills, USA
David Booth, Europe def. James White, USA, 2-up
Graeme Robertson, Europe def. Derek Ernst, USA, 2 and 1
Julien Brun, Europe def. Blayne Barber, USA, 6 and 5
Pontus Widegren, Europe def. Andrew Yun, USA, 3 and 1
