There was heartbreak for the European team at the Concession Cup today as the USA produced a staggering comeback victory at Valderrama to maintain their stranglehold on the biennial event.
FORMAT: 3-day four ball / foursomes / singles match
The hosts’ team, which included the English trio of Stephen Jensen, Rupert Kellock and Trevor Foster, led 8.5-3.5 going into the 12 singles matches.
But the USA, who won three previous meetings in 2014, 16 and 18, fought back brilliantly, coming out on top in the top five ties on their way to picking up 9.5 points this afternoon to seal a 13-11 victory overall.
Each team is made up six mid-amateur players (O-35s) and six seniors and the Europeans, captained by Norwegian Tore Sviland, looked set to win the event for the first time after taking going 4-2 up in Wednesday’s fourballs. They also dominated yesterday’s foursomes (4.5-1.5).
Today England Seniors champion Jensen (The Wisley) led from the front and lost 2&1 to Evan Beck after battling back from two down after four to lead by a hole with six to play. However the American won 13, 15 and 17 to give the visitors the perfect start.
When 2021 English Seniors champion Kellock (Sunningdale) lost at No 5, having been two up after 11, the Europeans were in serious trouble.
Lancashire stalwart Foster, playing in the penultimate tie, provided rare and much needed good news as he got five up through 10 before eventually closing it out on the 17th.
However Brad Nurski’s one-hole victory over German Leon Breimer was critical and then, in the final game, Matthew Mattare hung on against Spaniard Moises Cobo to seal the sensational comeback.