Former Kentucky All-American John Holmes fell in the morning?s foursome match but was one of six Team USA members victorious in singles matches as the Americans took the Palmer Cup trophy with a 14-10 win over Team Europe Thursday at Whistling Straits The Irish in Haven, Wisc.
The United States and Europe continued to play to a standstill after three rounds. The two squads split their morning foursomes alternate-shot matches to stand 8-8, leaving possession of the Palmer Cup trophy to be settled during the afternoon singles matches.
Europe won the opening match of the day when Kalle Edberg and Alex Nor?n downed Matt Every and Matthew Rosenfeld, 3 and 1. Team USA?s Roberto Castro and Jeff Overton birdied six holes en route to a 5 and 4 victory over Alejandro Ca?izares and Pablo Martin. Six birdies by Scott Jamieson and David Skinns propelled Europe back into the lead with a 3 and 1 win over John Holmes and Michael Putnam. The Americans moved the matches back to all-square when Ryan Blaum and Spencer Levin beat Rhys Davies and Steve Tiley, 3 and 2.
Three straight USA victories opened up the afternoon singles matches. Matt Every led from start to finish on his way to a 2 and 1 win over Scott Jamieson. USA?s Michael Putnam and Europe?s David Skinns were back and forth until Putnam took the lead on the 14th and held on for the 3 and 1 victory. John Holmes was next in, as he too led from the opening hole and finished with a 3 and 2 victory.
Europe?s first victory came when Kalle Edberg won the final three holes over Matthew Rosenfeld to finish 1 up. Europe?s hopes were to be short lived, however, as the Americans clinched the Palmer Cup title with three more victories. Ryan Blaum came in with a 3 and 2 victory over Rhys Davies. Robert Castro and Jeff Overton each finished off their European opponents (Steve Tiley and Pablo Martin, respectively) with 4 and 3 wins. Europe?s Alejandro Ca?izares finished up play with a 1 up victory over Spencer Levin, but it was not enough as Team USA won the Palmer Cup trophy, 14-10. The Americans lead the overall Palmer Cup series 5-3-1.
2005 Palmer Cup presented by Monster at Whistling Straits The Irish
Final Team Results
USA def. Europe, 14-10
Foursomes Matches Results
Kalle Edberg/Alex Nor?n, Europe def. Matt Every/Matthew Rosenfeld, USA, 3 and 1
Scott Jamieson/David Skinns, Europe def. John Holmes/Michael Putnam, USA, 3 and 1
Ryan Blaum/Spencer Levin, USA def. Rhys Davies/Steve Tiley, Europe, 3 and 2
Roberto Castro/Jeff Overton, USA def. Alejandro Ca?izares/Pablo Martin, Europe, 5 and 4
Day-Two Singles Matches Results
Matt Every, USA def. Scott Jamieson, Europe, 2 and 1
Michael Putnam, USA def. David Skinns, Europe, 3 and 1
John Holmes, USA def. Alex Nor?n, Europe, 3 and 2
Kalle Edberg, Europe def. Matthew Rosenfeld, USA, 1 up
Ryan Blaum, USA def. Rhys Davies, Europe, 3 and 2
Roberto Castro, USA def. Steve Tiley, Europe, 4 and 3
Jeff Overton, USA def. Pablo Martin, Europe, 4 and 3
Alejandro Ca?izares, Europe def. Spencer Levin, USA, 1 up