McDowell at Palmer Cup

DEAN Robertson's European side will have the backing of new US Open champion Graeme McDowell when they open their defence of the Palmer Cup against the USA at Royal Portrush today.

McDowell, the first Northern Irishman since 1947 to win a Major title, will be in attendance at his home course this week as the leading college golfers from both sides of the Atlantic clash in the Ryder Cup-style contest on the Antrim coast.

Banchory's James Byrne, runner-up in last weekend's Amateur championship at Muirfield, forms part of an eight-man European team that is aiming to follow up last season's 13-11 victory over the US at Cherry Hills in Denver.

Teams

Europe: J Byrne (Arizona State/Scotland), R Enoch (East Tennessee State/Wales), J Kennegard (Arizona State/Sweden), D Lingmerth (Arkansas/Sweden), H Norlander (Augusta State/Sweden), A Pavan (Texas A&M/Italy), P Spraggs (Stirling University/England), P Widegren (UCLA/Sweden). Head coach: D Robertson (Scotland).

United States: T Alexander (Florida), J Chin (UC Irvine), D Chung (Stanford), R Henley (Georgia), S Langley (Illinois), D Miernicki (Oregon), C Nagy (Charlotte), J Randolph (Mississippi). Head coach: C Zambri (Southern California).