There is little to choose between Great Britain & Ireland and the United States after the opening fourball session in the 2022 PGA Cup ended in stalemate.
Both teams produced some scintillating golf on a sunny yet chilly morning at Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey.
Midland duo Matthew Cort and Daniel Whitby-Smith were first out for David (DJ) Russell’s side as they came up against Michael Block and Larkin Gross.
The Americans went three up after just seven holes, leaving Cort and Whitby-Smith with it all to do. They cut the lead to two at the eighth and despite getting back to within just one, the visiting team held their nerve on the 18th to claim the first point of the day.
Whitby commented: “We got off to a bit of a slow start. We were one-under through the first seven holes and then we found ourselves three down.
“We were 6/7-under for the next 10/11 holes so we were fighting back but they (United States) were relentless.”
We caught up with @dwhitbysmith after his round at @FoxhillsSurrey ?️♂️ pic.twitter.com/t4KvqJlXLG
— The PGA (@ThePGA) September 16, 2022
It wasn’t long before the Americans secured their second point of the competition thanks to Alex Beach and Ben Polland who beat Greig Hutcheon and James Ruth to give Suzy Whaley's side a 2-0 lead.
Great Britain & Ireland got their first point on the board thanks to David Higgins and Ashley Mansell got the better of Ryan Vermeer and Jesse Mueller.
Soon after, Simon Thornton and Adam Keogh beat Frank Bensel Jr. and Omar Uresti 3&2 to, with Keogh holing a 20ft putt to win it and level the match overall at 2-2.
Speaking after his match, Mansell commented: “I’m loving it! The whole week so far has been fantastic. It’s a great event, well run by both PGAs and I’m buzzing to be playing.”
CLICK HERE to follow live scoring from the 2022 PGA Cup matches.
?️ @ashcmansell is enjoying himself on his PGA Debut for GB&I.
— The PGA (@ThePGA) September 16, 2022
We spoke to Ashley to get his thoughts on what representing his country this week at @FoxhillsSurrey means to him.
???? 1⃣ - 2⃣ ?? #PGACup pic.twitter.com/OqaVsvHQwQ
