If you’re not already glued to your screens for the Curtis Cup, here’s the scoop from Sunningdale’s Old Course.
It seems Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) are tantalizingly close to prying the Curtis Cup from the firm grip of the Americans.
Led by the cool-headed Catriona Matthew, GB&I finished the day with a snug two-point lead. It’s 7-5, folks, and they’re staring down their first win since the 2016 gala at Dún Laoghaire.
The Americans have been the big dogs, nabbing 11 of the last 13 trophies, but this year, GB&I is stirring up quite the tempest.
They just need a sprinkle more of points—10½ to be exact—to clinch the trophy come Sunday.
Now, after a rollercoaster of emotions with scores tied at 3-3 after the first day, the Saturday morning foursomes were like a dance where both partners know the steps too well—ending in a stalemate.
But, oh boy, the afternoon session was where GB&I turned the heat up. They snagged a hefty two-and-a-half points from the available three in the fourballs, gearing up for what could be a spectacular finish on Sunday.
Let’s chat about Lottie Woad and Sara Byrne for a moment—they’ve been nothing short of a revelation.
Like a perfectly paired dram of Scotch, they’ve managed to remain undefeated across all sessions since 2008’s format refresh—a rare feat indeed.
Hannah Darling from Scotland and England’s Mimi Rhodes kicked off the afternoon with a bang.
They pocketed the first point with a 3&2 victory over Jasmine Koo and young Asterisk Talley, displaying a stellar nine birdies.
That win marked Rhodes’ first point of the week, and Darling added to her laurels after a morning victory.
Beth Coulter and Lorna McClymont weren’t about to let the side down, either. They secured a solid 2&1 win against Anna Davis and Melanie Green.
Coulter’s stunning birdie on the 16th was the cherry on top, particularly sweet for McClymont, who squared some personal accounts after their encounter at the Women’s Amateur Final in June.
The day wrapped up with Woad and Byrne in a neck-and-neck battle against Rachel Kuehn and Megan Schofill.
It was a cliffhanger with no team leading by more than a hole, ending in a halve that kept everyone on their toes.
Catriona Matthew, Captain, Great Britain and Ireland “They’re a fantastic bunch of girls. It’s been a pleasure being their captain.
They really dug in today. One-and-a-half to one-and-a-half this morning and the display this afternoon was unbelievable really.
“No lead is ever big enough. In any kind of sport you’d rather be going in 7-5 up than being 7-5 down.
There’s still a long way to go. The Americans are going to come out fighting tomorrow. We’ve had a great day today, enjoyed today, but we’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
As we gear up for the final day, GB&I aren’t just hoping to win; they’re looking to make a statement.
With a two-point lead, they’re knocking loudly on victory’s door. Can they push it open? Tune in tomorrow—it’s going to be one for the history books!
