The United States have struck the first competitive blow of Ryder Cup week, beating Europe 14½-9½ in the junior version of the competition at the Olympia Fields in Chicago.
The biennial match helped launch the careers of the likes of Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and this year’s Ryder Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts, who have progressed to the senior European side which will begin the defence of the trophy at Medinah on Friday.
The home side, seeking a third successive win, led 7-5 going into the final round of 12 singles matches.
And they put the trophy beyond the reach of the cream of Europe’s youngsters by taking four of the first five matches and halving the others.
“The whole experience has been incredible,” said Casie Cathrea, 16, who beat Denmark’s Emily Pedersen. The consolation for Europe? At least they were not crushed 22-2 as happened four years ago in Kentucky.
