The Continent of Europe will take a one point advantage over Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) into day two of the Jacques Léglise Trophy at Aldeburgh Golf Club, England.
The Continental team, captained by Joachim Fourquet (FRA), was led out by two Frenchmen in the first foursomes match of the day. Tom Vaillant and Charles Larcelet, who recently helped their country to the European Boys’ Team Championship title, secured a 4&3 victory over Joe Pagdin and Barclay Brown, putting the first point on the board in favour of the visitors.
The next two points went to GB&I, Alvaro Mueller-Baumgart and David Puig were defeated 5&4, while Adam Wallin and Loïc Ettlin, both making their second appearances in the event, lost in a tight match by one hole.
Bård Skogen and Daniel Da Costa Rodrigues then drew the score level (2 - 2) with a two hole victory in the final match of the session.
After nine holes, the afternoon session looked like it was leaning in favour of the hosts, with the predicted score at GB&I 7 - 4 Continent of Europe. Three of the first four singles also went to the hosts, although the visiting team rallied on the back-nine, managing 4.5 points to GB&I’s 3.5. Wins from Italy’s Matteo Cristoni (2 holes), Switzerland’s Loïc Ettlin (1 hole), France’s Tom Vaillant (2 holes) and Portugal’s Daniel Da Costa Rodrigues (3&2) in the last four matches of the day left the score at 6.5 - 5.5 at the halfway stage.
The teams will play four more foursomes matches in the morning on Saturday, followed by nine singles matches in the afternoon. The Continent of Europe will need a further 6.5 points to regain the trophy from GB&I.
Photo Credit: The R&A