Cappelen, Europeans Surge to Victory

NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland – Sebastian Cappelen of the University of Arkansas men’s golf team and his European teammates won seven of eight singles matches on the final day of the Palmer Cup at The Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, to stage a come-from-behind win in the Ryder Cup style tournament.

Trailing 10-6 entering the final set of matches, the Europeans were dominant as they picked up victory after victory, erasing the deficit and clinching the overall title, 13.5-10.5.  The European victory puts the all-time Palmer Cup standings at 8-7-1 in favor of the United States.

Cappelen claimed his first win of the 2012 Palmer Cup after a loss and two halves.  Taking on Chris Williams (Washington), Cappelen continues to remain undefeated in Palmer Cup singles matches, 3-0-1, and overall is 4-2-2 in two years of Palmer Cup play.

Falling behind early, Cappelen posted a par on the first hole, but Williams knocked in a birdie putt to take a one hole lead.  Cappelen sank a birdie of his own on No. 2 to tie the match, then took a one hole lead with a par on No. 3 to Williams bogey.

Williams won back-to-back holes on No. 5 and No. 6 to again go one up, but Cappelen tied the match for the third time on No. 7.  After matching holes No. 8, No. 9 and No. 10, Cappelen again took the lead, this time for good, with a par on No. 11.  Cappelen would win three straight to go three up with four to play and finally clinched the match with a birdie on the par 4, 16th to win 3 & 2.