Staff WriterThe Junior Ryder Cup is supposed to be about promise, potential, and maybe a few nervous swings. What unfolded at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, New York, was something else entirely—a red, white, and blue revival that ended with the United States clawing back the trophy in a 17 ½ – 12 ½ victory over Europe.
Needing 5 ½ points from the singles to clinch the Cup, the U.S. team looked about as steady as a three-legged barstool after nine holes, trailing in nine of twelve matches. But this is the Junior Ryder Cup—where no lead is safe and teenagers can suddenly turn into prizefighters.
“We were down first thing this morning for a long time, and these kids just fought so hard and they got the job done,” said U.S. Captain Suzy Whaley, a PGA Master Professional. “They saw a sea of blue on the leaderboard and knew exactly where they stood. They showed grit, perseverance and did not give up.”
And fight they did. Slowly, the scoreboard began to bleed red.
Stanford University recruit Anna Fang of San Diego lit the spark, dispatching Spain’s Nagore Martinez 5 & 3 to put the first U.S. point on the board. Fellow Stanford commit—and world No. 12 amateur—Asterisk Talley followed, edging England’s Charlotte Naughton 1-up after nearly squandering a 4-hole lead.
But the real turning points, according to Whaley, came courtesy of New Jersey’s Rayee Feng and Georgia’s Hamilton Coleman.
“When I spoke with them this morning they both said ‘Don’t worry coach, I’m going to get this job done,’ and they did just that and I couldn’t be more proud of them. I couldn’t be more proud of all 12 of these incredible golfers.”
Feng, one of Whaley’s captain’s picks, was 1-down early to Spain’s Louise Uma Landgraf. Then came the fireworks: wins at 7, 9, and 10—including back-to-back birdies—catapulted her ahead. By the 15th, she sealed the point that officially reclaimed the Junior Ryder Cup.
“I actually did not know it was the last point needed,” Feng said. “A lot of my teammates were there cheering because they knew it was the winning point. It’s been amazing playing for this country and on this team.”
Coleman, fresh off his U.S. Junior Amateur title, shut down Ireland’s John Doyle 2 & 1 and summed up the week in a way only a 17-year-old can: “That was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. You know, not only am I playing for myself but I’m also playing for my country.”
Europe, to their credit, didn’t go quietly. Frenchman Hugo Le Goff toppled U.S. Boys’ top-ranked Miles Russell 4 & 3, one of 4 ½ points the Europeans scraped together on the day.
“I’m very proud of my team,” said European Captain Stephen Gallacher. “They fought extremely hard until the end, and they are not only fantastic golfers but also fantastic human beings. Their body language, commitment to the team from every one of them was so professional.”
The U.S. now improves its all-time Junior Ryder Cup record to 8-4-1, and for Whaley, it was the culmination of years of anticipation.
“Being a captain of a team holds a lot of responsibility, but it wasn’t just me,” she said. “This was a team effort for Team USA to bring that Cup home and set the tone for tomorrow’s Ryder Cup, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Next stop for the victorious U.S. Junior Ryder Cup squad? A front-row seat at Bethpage Black, where they’ll celebrate on opening day of the Ryder Cup itself.
