AMATEUR:Ireland defeated England 3½-1½ in the semi-finals of the European Girls' Team Championship yesterday and now take on Sweden in today's final at Kokkola, Finland.
The Irish team of 14-year-old twins Leona and Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Laura McCarthy (Muskerry) and Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush) got off to a wonderful start claiming victory in both the morning foursomes matches.
Lisa and Leona Maguire defeated England’s Kelly Tidy and Heidi Baek by 3 and 2, while Laura McCarthy and Stephanie Meadow fought hard in an up and down match to beat Alexandra Peters and Hayley Davis by 2 and 1.
A nail-biting afternoon followed with little between the sides. Leona Maguire, who provided the vital victory in Thursday’s singles matches, was down throughout her match and eventually succumbed to Alexandra Peters at the 16th.
However, Irish champion Lisa stepped up to the challenge and booked Ireland’s place in the final with a crucial 2 and 1 win over the very talented Kelly Tidy.
Stephanie Meadow had been two down through eight holes but continued to battle, as she has done all week, and drew level with Heidi Baek after 15 holes before being called in.
In today’s final Ireland play Sweden, who beat Spain 3½-1½ in the other semi-final.
Meanwhile, the Irish boys crashed 4-1 to France in Flight Two of their championship in Golfclub De Pan, The Netherlands.
The Irish women’s team of six returned to action in the Ladies European Team Championships, at Bled Golf Club, Slovenia, yesterday, with a 4-1 win over the host country.
They play Iceland today to decide 15th and 16th places. England beat France 4-3 to reach the final where they play Germany for the gold medals.
BRITISH OPEN:Phil Mickelson confirmed yesterday that he will skip next week's British Open as his wife and mother battle breast cancer, sticking with a plan he disclosed after last month's US Open.
Mickelson’s wife, Amy, underwent surgery last week, five days before it was reported that his mother was also diagnosed with cancer. Mary Mickelson was scheduled to undergo surgery in Houston yesterday, the golfer’s sister, Tina said.
WOMEN'S US OPEN:Alexis Thompson yesterday served notice she might be coming of age as the 14-year-old American amateur shot a second-round 73 to join the title chase at the US Womens Open.
Thompson, who shot level-par 71 in the opening round, was on the leaderboard at two over par after the morning wave at Saucon Valley’s Old Course, where sub-par rounds were at a premium. The youngest player to qualify for the US Open at age 12 in 2007, Thompson would become youngest to win an LPGA major title by more than four years if she were to triumph.
US TOUR: Play in the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois was suspended for the day due to inclement weather. Play will resume this morning at 7am local time with Americans Lee Jansen and Darren Stiles sharing the lead on seven-under-par 64. The pair are one clear of JJ Henry, Matt Bettencourt and Dean Wilson.
CHALLENGE TOUR: The Irish trio of Michael McGeady, Colm Moriarty and Noel Fox experienced contrasting days in the Allianz EurOpen de Lyon in France but all live to fight another day after making the cut with nothing to spare.
With the top 60 professionals and ties making it through to the weekend, all three can be thankful that two amateurs were among the top 60 to bring in all the players on level par.
The three Irishmen just made it but lie a distant 12 strokes adrift off Frenchman Alexandre Kaleka, who added a four under 67 to his opening 63.
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