Lewis leads USA to Curtis Cup title

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Former University of Arkansas golfer Stacy Lewis went a perfect 5-0 leading the United States to its sixth consecutive Curtis Cup victory over Great Britain and Ireland in St. Andrews, Scotland, Sunday. Lewis made Curtis Cup history becoming the first player to win five matches in the first year of the three-day format. Lewis helped Team USA to a 13-7 win as the Americans improved to 26-6-3 all-time in Curtis Cup play. It was the largest margin of victory since a 14-4 win in 1990. “Coming in I wanted to play as much as I could and win every match,” said Lewis, the 2007 NCAA Division I individual women’s champion. “With match play you’re never really sure what’s going to happen. I’m very happy that I got all the wins.” Lewis, a 23-year-old from The Woodlands, Texas, also had the honor of clinching the winning point for the USA. Duke junior and three-time national collegiate player of the year Amanda Blumenherst seemed to be headed for that honor but Lewis rallied closing out her opponent on the 16th green. “I have a very strong team but I didn’t think they would play as well as they did today in the worst weather of the three days,” said USA team captain Carol Semple Thompson, a seven-time USGA champion. “All credit to my players. They did a great job. They just stayed in there and finished strongly.” ResultsSt. Andrews, Scotland – Results of the singles matches at the 2008 Curtis Cup Match, played Sunday at the par-72, 6,638-yard Old Course at St. Andrews. Kimberly Kim, Hilo, Hawaii (USA) def. Breanne Loucks, Wrexham, Wales, (GB&I), 3 and 1Amanda Blumenherst, Scottsdale, Ariz. (USA) def. Jodi Ewart, Middleham, England, (GB&I), 2 and 1Stacy Lewis, The Woodlands, Texas (USA) def. Liz Bennett, Sway, England, (GB&I), 3 and 2Tiffany Joh, San Diego, Calif. (USA) def. Carly Booth, Comrie, Scotland, (GB&I), 6 and 5Michele Thomson, Ellon, Scotland, (GB&I) halved with Jennie Lee, Henderson, Nev. (USA) Florentyna Parker, Southport, England, (GB&I) def. Meghan Bolger, Oakland Park, Fla. (USA), 6 and 4Krystle Caithness, Cellardyke, Scotland (GB&I) def. Mina Harigae, Monterey, Calif. (USA), 2 and 1Alison Walshe, Westford, Mass. (USA) def. Sally Watson, Elie, Scotland, (GB&I), 1 up