Transcript
Conditions remained changeable at Formby Golf Club, as the afternoon fourballs got underway in the Arnold Palmer Cup.
Europe had dominated the morning foursomes, outscoring their American counterparts 4 points to 1; the visitors desperate to turn the tide.
Stanford University’s David Boote had other ideas however, holing out from all of 45 feet at the fifth to lay down a marker in the lead match.
On arrival at the 16 th tee, he and his partner Adrian Meronk were already three up. And the young Pole produced this. Derek Bard and Michael Johnson left with little choice but to concede the match. First point of the afternoon to Europe.
Doug Ghim and Will Zalatoris delivered a much needed response in the second match. Their 2 and 1 victory over Sam Horsfield and Matthias Schwab securing the States their first match win of the contest.
A momentum swing for America perhaps? Match 3 highlighted by this Will Gordon tee shot at the 5th.
But Robin Sciot-Siegrist and Antoine Rozner were up to the task. Going all square at 16, then one up here at 17. One hole later and the French pair were putting for the match.
The contest looked in danger of running away from the Americans, before a steadfast performance from Zach Wright here on the 5 th and his partner Charlie Danielson stemmed the flow. They would go on to defeat Stuart Grehan and Lars van Meijel 4 and 2, and put some much needed red on the board.
Europe still led by 3 points however, with just one match out on the course. Petersson and Eggenberger for the hosts, Hoey and Mendoza for the US.
A fabulous tee shot set Hoey up for birdie at 10... and moved the Americans one up.
It was a lead they still retained coming down the last. But the outcome of the match was out of their hands, Eggenberger with a putt to clinch a half for Europe. A missed opportunity for the Swiss. Victory for Hoey and Mendoza.
A determined afternoon fightback secured fourball victory for America 3 points to 2 and ensured they would close the opening day 2 behind Europe overall, but with momentum on their side ahead of Saturday’s singles.