Nairn, Scotland (Sports Network) - Great Britain & Ireland won two of three
fourball matches Saturday afternoon to cut into the United States' lead during
the second day of the Curtis Cup.
The Americans held a 4-2 lead after the first day, and extended it to 6-3 in
the foursomes portion of the competition in the morning.
But GB&I scored 2 1/2 points -- halving the third fourball match -- to
drastically narrow the margin. It will head into Sunday with a good chance of
overtaking the United States' 6 1/2 - 5 1/2 advantage and recording a rare
victory in the event.
The U.S. has won seven consecutive Curtis Cup titles, and holds a 27-6-3 all-
time record in the biennial event.
The Americans got off to a good start Saturday during the foursomes matches --
as Amy Anderson and Tiffany Lua recorded a 3 & 2 win against Pamela Pretswell
and Charley Hull, while Austin Ernst and Brooke Pancake beat Holly Clyburn and
Amy Boulden 2-up. Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire recorded a victory for
GB&I, a 3 & 1 decision against Lindy Duncan and Lisa McCloskey.
But in the fourball, or better ball, matches, the tide turned thanks to some
good late play by GB&I.
Clyburn and Kelly Tidy won the 15th and 16th holes to come back and beat
Emily Tubert and Anderson, 1-up. Meadow and Pretswell were all square against
Lua and Erica Popson before winning the 17th and 18th holes to get their team
another point.
GB&I was poised to sweep the fourball matches, as Maguire and Bronte Law were
2-up on Pancake and Ernst heading around the turn. But the Americans won the
10th and 13th holes to get the match to all square, and they halved the final
five holes to split the point.
The Sports Network