Doyle helps Europe stay in touch at Junior Ryder Cup
John Doyle. Picture: INPHO
Cork’s John Doyle played a starring role again as Europe closed the gap on the USA heading into today’s final singles session at the Junior Ryder Cup.
Europe had the title in the bag after two days in 2023 before going on to win 20.5-9.5 at Marco Simone in Rome.
But while expected bad weather has denied them a chance to play in front of big crowds at Ryder Cup venue Bethpage Black today, Stephen Gallacher’s troops trail by just 10-8 going into the 12 singles.
It means they have a chance at Nassau Country Club to win away from home for the first time since Rory McIlroy played in the event in Ohio in 2004.
“Fantastic golf,” said European captain Stephen Gallacher. “We knew it was going to be among the 24 best in the world. We’re two points back going into singles; anything can happen.”
The Americans won Wednesday’s mixed fourball session 3.5-2.5 with Fota Island star Doyle (18) teaming up with Denmark’s Benedicte Brent-Peterson to get one of their two wins.
The match was level with two holes to go when Brent-Peterson birdied the 17th and proceeded to drive the 18th green on the 330-yard par-4 to seal a 2-up win over Amelie Zalsman and Tyler Mawhinney.
America’s top two juniors, Asterisk Talley and Miles Russell beat Sara Brentcheneff and Hugo Le Goff 2&1 before Zoe Cusack and Lunden Esterline added another US win over Charlotte Naughton and Kris Kim.
Nagore Martinez and Callixte Alzas hit back for Europe and while Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg and partner Alice Kong lost 4&2, Doyle and Brent-Petersen cut the deficit before Louise Uma Landgraf and Oscar Couilleau halved the anchor match.
Europe is looking to win their first Junior Ryder Cup in America since 2004, when McIlroy was part of the side that won at Westfield Group Country Club in Ohio.
“It’s on their shoulders,” Gallacher said. “There’s a chance to rewrite history tomorrow, we’ve not won away for over 20 years, and we’re going to try and do it for the Continent.”
The singles begin at 8:00 am local time (1 pm Irish time) with Doyle (18) set to face US Junior Amateur champion Hamilton Coleman (17) from Augusta, Georgia.
