US take Curtis Cup with ease

THE United States cruised to a comfortable 12-7 victory over Great Britain and Ireland to win the women's Curtis Cup for amateurs.

The Americans needed only two out of eight points in yesterday's singles to retain the cup after winning all six fourball and foursome matches on Saturday to take a commanding 8-3 lead in the 36th biennial competition.

Alexis Thompson, who is 15, and 18-year-old Jennifer Johnson both built early leads in their singles matches. Thompson beat Scotland's Sally Watson 6 and 5, and Johnson defeated Rachel Jennings 5 and 4 to clinch it for the US, who have now won seven straight matches.

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Danielle McVeigh of Northern Ireland, a 22-year-old who is expected to turn pro soon, shone brightly all weekend for her team and beat Jennifer Song 3 and 2 in the lead-off singles match. Lisa and Leona Maguire, 15-year-old twins from Ireland, also played well for the visitors. Lisa Maguire beat Kimberly Kim one-up and Leona Maguire defeated Tiffany Lua 2 and 1.

Jessica Korda was strong all weekend for the US, carding four birdies and an eagle while seeing off Pamela Pretswell of Scotland 4 and 3. American Cydney Clanton beat Hannah Barwood 4 and 3, while Holly Clyburn's 2 and 1 win over Stephanie Kono gave the GB&I team a creditable split of yesterday's eight points.

The matches were expected to be the final amateur appearance for several members of the US team. Thompson and Song, the reigning US Women's Amateur and Women's Amateur Public Links champion, may play in next week's Shoprite LPGA Classic in Galloway, New Jersey.

The contest was played at the Essex County Club, the home course of Harriot and Margaret Curtis, the two women who donated the trophy that began the Curtis Cup in 1932.

Crucial to the victory was Saturday clean sweep for the Americans. "The standard of golf this was just unbelievable," Great Britain and Ireland captain Mary McKenna admitted. "We just got hit with a birdie blitz. (The US) had more birdies than we did."

US captain Noreen Mohler said: "I'm delighted with the way we played. The matches were tight and tough, but we were making putts and that's what it came down to. I told the girls 'the greens are our friends.'"