Amateur Golfer Says “We Have Nothing To Lose” As Great Britain & Ireland Chase First Away Curtis Cup Victory Since 1986
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Bildnummer: 01453062 Datum: 26.03.2004 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI Die Silhouette einer Golfspielerin beim Abschlag - PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY (Icon5934794); Vdig, quer, Golfer, Golfspieler, Golferin, Gegenlicht, Sonnenlicht, Abendlicht, Dämmerlicht, Dämmerung, Symbol, Feature, Aufmacher Kraft Nabisco Championship 2004, LPGA Tour, Golfen, Frauen, Frauengolf Rancho Mirage Golf Damen Einzel Einzelbild Aktion Werbemotiv Personen Symbolfoto
As Great Britain & Ireland look to end a 40-year Curtis Cup drought at the Bel-Air Country Club, England’s Patience Rhodes points out that the team will go all out to defeat their American opponents.
USA takes a 7-to-5 lead into the final round in Los Angeles. Rhodes, who won the previous edition of the Curtis Cup, mentioned the immense pressure the US team will be under on Sunday.
"We have nothing to lose," Rhodes, who is 3-1 this week, said. "We're a great team. We've got great support, great captains. So, yeah, we're just going to do our best and try to take them down. They'll have lots of pressure on them. They haven't lost in like 40 years on their own soil. So we have nothing to lose. We're just going to go out there firing."
Only Rhodes and Sophia Fullbrook have winning records in the GB&I team this week. However, they will need to fend off history to oust the US team in Sunday Singles.
Great Britain & Ireland have not won on foreign soil since 1986. In the last two American Curtis Cups, the U.S. team has secured 15 out of a possible 16 match points in singles.
"We have a two-point lead, but they know they have to go out and get every point possible," USA captain Meghan Stasi said. "I know every single person is going to go out there and try their hardest."
Only in 2012 at Nairn Golf Club in Scotland did the Americans lead going into Sunday and not end up holding the Cup.
On top of that, the USA requires 10.5 points to reclaim the Cup. GB&I will need to score 10 points to retain it.
Meanwhile, NCAA individual champion Farah O'Keefe has the chance to make history at the weekend.
Farah O'Keefe has the chance to become a part of history
O’Keefe, alongside Avery Weed, came in clutch as they secured the only USA point in foursomes on Saturday afternoon. The pair kept the Americans ahead by two points going into Sunday singles.
“This is what I love to do, and this is my passion. Even though my body is hurting and everything is feeling kind of old, I'm still enjoying it, and I think I'm running on a little bit of adrenaline,” said O’Keefe.
O’Keefe, currently at 4-0, could become just the fourth player in Curtis Cup history to post a 5-0-0 in a single Match. She’ll join the likes of USA’s Stacy Lewis and Kristin Gillman, and GB&I’s Bronte Law.
USA will look to continue its 40-year-long streak at the Bel-Air Country Club, but the GB&I team won’t make things easy for them.
Who do you think will come out on top in the Sunday singles? Share your predictions in the comments.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason