The Internationals reached Trump Turnberry trying to change the history of the Bridge Cup. After three editions and three American victories, Monday offered the opportunity to put pressure on the defending champions.
They took it.
With a morning surge followed by another winning session in the afternoon, the The internationals built an advantage of 6.5-3.5 on the opening day of the fourth Cup of Bridges. On a day that the Scottish autumn weather added to a test of demanding links, a team full of known amateurs gave an encouraging start in the search for their first title.
“We couldn’t ask for more to be three after the first two sessions,” said international vice-chairman Darragh Coghlan. “What I learned about my team today is that they are damn good at golf. I saw some spectacular golf out there today, so really proud of the boys. They performed admirably.”
The opening stage belonged to Trump Turnberry’s King Robert the Bruce course, which impressed the players of both teams. The famous Ailsa – No. 18 in The best 100 GOLF courses in the world – may not be the most well-known name, but his close ties have proved a compelling setting for the top 10 matches.
With tight fairways and greens, King Robert the Bruce demanded precision and punished loose shots. Its exposed holes, guarded approaches and contoured greens present the full examination of the links, especially when the rain, cold and wind arrived for the alternate afternoon matches. Finding the right position mattered as much as finding the right club.
The Americans initially seemed ready to meet the challenge. Scott Anderson and Hoyt McGarity won the opening fourball match, 3 and 2, and Cody Massa and DJ Lantz followed with a 1-up victory.
Then the International training showed its depth.
Jacob Austin and Lukas Michel won 4 and 3 to start a sweep of the final three morning games. For Michel, the Australian who became the first international winner of the US Mid-Amateur in 2019, the success against the American opposition was a familiar territory.
Jonathan Bale and Dan Faccini added a victory of 3 and 2, while Gavin Dear and Josh Jamieson brought the most decisive result of the morning, winning 6 and 5. Jamieson broke first and made three birdies in the first five holes, while Dear brought considerable experience of team golf to the partnership. He helped Scotland win the 2008 World Amateur Team Championship and represented Great Britain and Ireland in the following year’s Walker Cup. On Monday, their pairing helped turn an early American lead into a 3-2 international lead.
As the weather deteriorated in the afternoon, the Internationals continued to move.
Angus Carrick and Calum Hill never trailed in a 5-4 win in the foursomes match. Andrew Davidson and James White followed with a 3 and 2 win.
The third game required a lot more patience. Kyle Rafferty and Colm Campbell doesn’t move ahead of Dennis Bull and Andrew Price until the 17th hole, then held to win 1 up.
Their experience offers another illustration of the caliber of this International side: Rafferty represented GB&I in the 2019 Walker Cup, while Campbell won the Irish Amateur Open in 2016 and 2022. His narrow victory counted as much as the most comfortable victories of the day – and stretched the deficit of the Americans.
The United States found an answer in the last two games. Drew Stoltz and Pete Tomasulo won 1, and Drew Kittleson and John Peterson linked Bale and Faccini to secure another half point.
The latest American pairing carried its remarkable credentials. Kittleson was runner-up in the 2008 US Amateur, while Peterson won the 2011 NCAA individual championship at LSU. His half point kept the overall margin at three for Tuesday.
For Americans, the task now is to erase that experience and recover. For the Internazionali, it is about turning an impressive opening day into something they will achieve: a Bridges Cup victory.
“The games were close,” said US captain Jeff Fujimoto. “Some guys made a few more putts than us on the other team. Tomorrow we have a big day. We have to figure out the pairs and have a strong day tomorrow.”
The competition moves to Ailsa on Tuesday for another five fourball and five foursomes matches, before 12 singles matches decide the Bridges Cup on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s opening fourball game starts at 8:20 am local time. With 22 points still available, the Americans have a great opportunity to respond. But after one day on the coast of Scotland, it was the Internationals who gave themselves the platform to make history.
