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The Amateur
Great Britain & Ireland triumph in St Andrews Trophy
Great Britain and Ireland claimed success in the St Andrews Trophy, earning a 14.5–10.5 victory over the Continent of Europe after two hard-fought days in Slovakia.
22 Jul 22
3 mins
Having opened up an 8–4 lead at Penati Golf Resort thanks to a number of crucial wins on the 18th hole on day one, GB&I built on their advantage after three further foursomes triumphs.
The Continent of Europe launched a valiant singles comeback in the final session, winning five matches, but it was Scotsman Calum Scott who sealed success for the visitors who were led by non-playing captain, Stuart Wilson. Irishman Mark Power won three-and-a-half points from a possible four while the English duo of Sam Bairstow and Barclay Brown – who both competed in The 150th Open in St Andrews last week – also secured three and two-and-half points respectively.Winning feeling
Scott said, “I didn’t know I was going to have the clinching point but it’s really good to get the one that got us over the line. “I played really solid, just kept it on the fairways and greens and made six birdies with no bogeys. This is my first GB&I team event so it’s an honour to play – to win is even better. It’s a great feeling and good to win with these lads.” Power added, “It was one of the best rounds I’ve had in a while, if not ever (in the final day singles). When I started rolling the putts they all started to drop. “When we saw the Europeans coming back at us things got a little bit nervy, but I just knew if I got my point hopefully the lads would pull through. It feels great to be on the winning team and I’m glad I contributed some points this week. We’ve had a great team chemistry all week and it’s nice to come back with the trophy.”Foursomes success
England's Arron Edwards-Hill claimed three-and-a-half points too, winning the last match to finish against Laurenz Schiergen from Germany, while teenager Scott was unbeaten as he won three points - including the clinching 4&3 singles victory over Maximilian Steinlechner from Austria. With a four-point deficit overnight, Continent of Europe captain Yves Hofstetter, a former Swiss international team player, had vowed to attack in the foursomes. However, in the hot conditions, more tight matches again went the way of GB&I with Bairstow and Irishman Matthew McClean claiming the most notable. The duo triumphed on the last for a one-hole success against Pietro Bovari from Italy and Portugal’s Daniel Da Costa Rodrigues. With GB&I now six points ahead, the Continent of Europe did dig deep to reply in the singles. Sweden’s David Lundgren saw off Bairstow by two holes, Da Costa Rodrigues also defeated Brown by the same margin and Bovari beat McClean 3&2. There was also a halved opening match between Frenchman Martin Couvra and John Gough from England.
Mark Power's (pictured left) 3.5 points and 6&4 Friday singles win helped to secured Great Britain & Ireland's victory over the Continent of Europe at Penati.