The United States will take a two-point lead over Europe into the final day single matches at the 2025 Junior Ryder Cup in New York.
The two teams – comprising 12 of the best male and female junior players from each of Europe and the United States – are currently 10-8 in favour of the United States after the second day mixed four-ball matches at Nassau Country Club.
The Americans, who entered the second day with a one point advantage, made the perfect start to the four-balls when Asterisk Talley and Miles Russell and overcame French duo Hugo Le Goff and Sara Brentcheneff 2&1 in the first match, before Zoe Cusack and Lunden Esterline also defeated English pair Charlotte Naughton and Kris Kim 2&1.
Europe fought back as Spaniard Nagore Martinez and Frenchman Callixte Alzas defeated Rayee Feng and Hamilton Coleman 3&2, before the United States increased their lead as Lily Peng and Giuseppe Puebla overcame Alice Kong from France and Ukraine’s Lev Grinberg 4&2.
Team Europe showed incredible fight as Denmark’s Benedicte Brent-Petersen and Ireland’s John Doyle birdied their final two holes to defeat Amelie Zalsman and Tyler Mawhinney 2 UP before French pair Louise Uma Landgraf and Oscar Couilleau came from behind to secure ½ a point against Anna Fang and Luke Colton.
Team Europe Captain Stephen Gallacher said: “There was some fantastic golf today. We’re watching the best 24 kids in the world, and I was delighted with the last few holes today. We saw a big shift in our favour, and we are only two points back ahead of the single matches, where anything can happen.
“The fighting spirit of my team has been unbelievable. This is a proper American golf course which my team won’t be used to and half of them have never played mixed four-balls. There is spirit and confidence to take on new shots and trust themselves. The greens out here are extremely firm, and they are up against class opposition. The attitude has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to tomorrow.”
The final day single matches were due to be played at Bethpage Black tomorrow, however due to the forecast of inclement weather they will now be contested at Nassau Country Club.
Team Europe will need to reach 15 points in order to retain the Junior Ryder Cup and lift the trophy on American soil for the first time since 2004.
“There’s a chance to re-write history tomorrow, we’ve not won away for over 20 years, and we’re going to try and do it for the Continent,” said Gallacher.
“I think it’s fantastic that we can still play the final day single matches here tomorrow. This golf course is fantastic, and it can certainly hold the rain if it does come. It’s obviously a shame that we’re not going to play Bethpage but logistically it would be very difficult and hard to finish if we did get any delays.”
The decisive single matches will begin tomorrow at 8:00am local time at Nassau Country Club, on the eve of the 45th edition of the biennial contest between Europe and the United States.
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