Staff Writer‘Seve’s hands’ may have lingered in Spanish turf since the last biennial battle, but after a commanding 19½–10½ triumph at La Galiana Golf Resort, England Golf have wrested the coveted trophy back across the Channel.
The result of a weekend brimming with pressure putts, sudden momentum shifts, and the kind of grit Seve himself would have applauded.
From the very first tee shot, England showed the fierce determination that has defined their record in this fixture, racing to a 10½–4½ lead on Friday alone.
A Weekend of Dominance
Friday’s opening day set the template: a 3½–1½ slice of foursomes gold in the morning, followed by a sweeping 7–3 singles victory in the afternoon.
It was a statement delivered under a Spanish sun that tested both stamina and focus—exactly the kind of drama that makes golf feel alive.
Matilde Santilli Steals the Show
Making her England Women’s debut, Matilde Santilli collected 3½ points from four matches with nerves steely enough to rival her putter’s precision.
It was a performance that marked her as one to watch and underlined England’s savvy blend of emerging talent and seasoned heads.
By Sunday, There Was No Doubt
England extended their advantage on Saturday, seizing a 3–2 foursomes win that included a mammoth 8&7 win for Eliot Baker and Ben Bolton.
By then, the Spaniards looked like they were reading from last year’s script. The final singles session proved the coup de grâce, a 6–4 result that ensured Seve’s hands were destined for an English winter.
- Foursomes (Fri AM): England 3½–1½
- Singles (Fri PM): England 7–3
- Foursomes (Sat AM): England 3–2 (including an 8&7 win by Baker & Bolton)
- Singles (Sat PM): England 6–4
England Golf Men’s Performance Manager Ben Gorvett said: “We’re really pleased to come away with the win, our 17th win out of the 20 occasions we’ve played this fixture.
We always pride ourselves on bringing a strong team to play Spain and this match is always played in the right spirit, but also with true competitiveness.
“Both the men and women won their respective genders, which is always pleasing to see and we’re very proud of this young but quality team we’ve assembled, with several players making their full senior caps.
It was very pleasing how the players handled themselves on the back-nine and how they kept their composure on the final day, despite being exhausted due to the heat and physical terrain.
“It’s a very proud occasion for all players and staff and it’s something that will be remembered for a very long time.
We’re pleased we can bring ‘Seve’s hands’ back to England for another two years before we compete again on home soil.
“It’s been a fantastic start to both the male and female programmes this year, where we’ve had a number of individual and team wins, and England U16s beating Spain too.
We’re looking forward to competing on the European stage in the coming months and seeing more individual success over the coming months.
“This early season success wouldn’t have been possible without the great support of our coaches and support staff, particularly Rob Watts and Steve Robinson who have done a fantastic job in keeping the guys motivated and focused to earn another tremendous victory.”
Looking Ahead
Now that Seve’s hands are safely aboard the ferry back to England, the team turns its gaze to a busy season of European events.
If the grit and flair shown at La Galiana are any indication, golf fans should buckle up for more fireworks from this young, dynamic side.
Full results for all matches are available on the England Golf website.
