BANDON, Ore. -- The United States retained the Curtis Cup on Sunday, defeating the Great Britain & Ireland team 11 1/2 - 6 1/2 at Pacific Dunes, part of the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.
This event is contested every two years between two teams of amateur women golfers -- one from the United States and one from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
This is the fifth consecutive victory for America in this competition.
GB&I cut into America’s 7-2 lead after Saturday’s play with some strong play in Sunday morning’s foursomes matches. Jane Park and Taylor Leon from the U.S. halved their match with Tricia Mangan and Tara Delaney, but the visitors took both of the other matches Sunday morning.
Melissa Reid and Breanne Loucks destroyed Jennie Lee and Jenny Suh to the tune of 7 & 5. Martina Gillen and Naomi Edwards toppled Paige Mackenzie and Amanda Blumenherst, 1-up.
The six singles matches started poorly for the U.S. side as Gillen knocked off Virginia Grimes, 3 and 2, then Loucks toppled Amanda McCurdy, 3 and 2 in the second match.
Mackenzie turned the tide for the U.S. with a par on the 18th that was good enough for a 1-up victory over Mangan.
The Americans turned it on in the remaining three matches. Leon destroyed Edwards 5 and 4, then Lee knocked off Reid 3 and 2.
Lee’s point became the clincher. At the 16th green, Lee had 35 feet for birdie, but lagged her putt close to the hole. Reid needed to convert from 30 feet to extend the match. Reid missed and American captain Carol Semple Thompson, the winningest Curtis Cup player, earned the victory in her first stint as captain.
Park defeated Delaney 3 and 2 in the anchor match.
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