Europe falls behind in Palmer Cup

Newcastle, Northern Ireland – Junior Sebastian Cappelen of the University of Arkansas men’s golf team went 0-1-1 on the first day of the Palmer Cup at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, halving his four ball match before losing on the final hole in the foursome.  The United States was able to jump out to a 6.5-1.5 lead in the Ryder Cup-style tournament with two days of singles matches left to play.

The first of two rounds scheduled for day one of the competition, Cappelen and teammate Julien Brun (TCU) faced Corbin Mills (Clemson) and Derek Ernst (UNLV) in a four ball match.  The Europeans took an early lead with a par on the first hole and a U.S. bogey and were up by two after three holes with a birdie on No. 3.  The Americans would get one hole back with a birdie on No. 4 and the two teams matched each other stroke-for-stroke for the next seven holes. The Europeans’ bogey on No. 13 allowed the match to go all square again and the Americans took their first lead with a birdie on No. 15.  Cappelen and Brun then made a par on No. 17 to move the match back to even where it would end after matching pars on 18.

In the afternoon foursome match, Cappelen and Brun would again team up and face the tandem of Patrick Rodgers (Stanford) and Justin Thomas (Alabama).  The Europeans again started strong, this time going up four holes through No. 6.  The Americans then chipped away at the lead with a par on No. 8 and eventually fought back to tie the match by the 15th hole.  The Europeans again took a one hole lead with a birdie on No. 16, but back-to-back victories by the Americans allowed them to defeat Cappelen and Brun, 1 up.

The first day of competition brought Cappelen’s all-time record at Palmer Cup matches to 3-2-1.  The tournament continues with the first of two singles competitions where Cappelen is slated to face Thomas in the seventh match of the day.  Arkansas’ Dane is undefeated in Palmer Cup singles matches, winning both his competitions a year ago.