‘There’s no reason why we can’t make it a quadruple’ - Thornton gunning for PGA Cup glory
The Llandudno International Trophy
Simon Thornton believes Great Britain and Ireland can consign the USA to a fourth defeat in team matchplay contests when they clash in the PGA Cup at The K Club.
The former Royal County Down professional and DP World Tour winner is one of captain David Scott’s four wildcards for the biennial clash between the top 10 PGA professionals from Great Britain and Ireland and their American counterparts.
“We know what we’ve got to do, and though there are always going to be really good players coming from America,” said Thornton, who is hoping to stop the USA’s bid for a fourth win in a row when the matches tee off at The K Club’s South Course on Friday.
“There’s no reason why we can’t make it a quadruple and have the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Solheim Cup and PGA Cup this side of the pond.”
Last staged at Sunriver Resort in Oregon in 2024, the United States are looking to stage a successful defence once again and complete a four-in-a-row for the first time since 1992, when The K Club first hosted the event.
Scotland’s Scott captains a 10-man GB&I roster featuring Scotland’s Graeme Robertson and Gavin Hay, Englishmen Ashley Mansell, Harry Casey, Ben Amor, Gareth Davies, James Freeman, and Matthew Ford, Welshman Toby Hunt, and Ireland’s Thornton.
“It’s a wonderful format, and match play beats stroke play hands down,” said Scott. “To have that head-to-head and the need to beat the opponent, it’s like a gladiator fight. You’re up against the opponent and you want to take him out, it’s as simple as that.
“I’ve not considered defeat. Any captain would say that, but I genuinely haven’t thought about it.
“I can’t wait. And I think the team we’ve got is really rock solid. If I can get them gelling, get them motivated, and get them on form, then I don’t see why we can’t win the cup back.”
Thornton, captain of the PGA in Ireland this year, is making his second PGA Cup appearance, having made his debut in a losing effort at Foxhills in 2022.
“It’s a great event to be part of, but as I said to the boys on the WhatsApp group, it’s an even better event to win,” Thornton said. “So that’s the goal.”
The action begins with two sessions on Friday — four fourball matches and four foursomes — with a repeat on Saturday before all 10 players square off in singles combat on Sunday.
GB&I need 13.5 points from a possible 26 to win back the Llandudno International Trophy.
The K Club will become the first venue to host the event on three separate occasions, and there are good omens for GB&I as on the last staging in County Kildare in 2005, GB&I won 15-11 to deny the United States another four-in-a-row.
The matches were first played in 1973, and the USA has won 20 times and Great Britain & Ireland seven times, with four matches tied.
Entry is free for all spectators.
Today
4 pm — Opening ceremony
Fri 2 October
07:50 4 Foursomes
12:40 4 Fourballs
Sat 3 Oct,
07:50 4 Foursomes
12:40 4 Fourballs
Sun 4 Oct
08:30 10 singles
ENDs
