U.S. Retains Junior Ryder Cup


In a performance the adult American team hopes to duplicate later this week, the United States Junior Ryder Cup team won its second consecutive trophy Tuesday by a narrow 13½ to 10½ margin over its European opponents at Gleneagles Resort in Perthshire, Scotland.

The U.S. followed its 22-to-2 rout in 2008 at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Ky., with a strong opening day start in 2010. After falling behind 9 to 3, Europe rallied to win six singles matches to close the gap. Thanks to early singles victories from Jordan Spieth of Dallas, Texas; Doris Chen of Bradenton, Fla.; and Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., victory was secured.

"It got a little close out there in the singles matches, but we luckily got them in the foursomes and four-ball matches yesterday," said U.S. Captain M.G. Orender. "I am so thrilled for these kids and they played their hearts out." The U.S. squad was led by Spieth and Chen, who each won all three of their matches.

"This was really unbelievable," said Spieth, who also went undefeated in three matches in 2008. "I feel like this team was even stronger than our 2008 team, but the European team was better too, so we really were able to come together and grab the trophy again."

Chen, the reigning U.S. Junior Girls' Champion, won three closely contested matches. "I played one shot at a time and didn't get down," she said. "This was so much fun and we played well as a team both days."

Orender, a former president of the PGA of America, reflected back on the week as a whole. "In my time as a PGA professional, I don't know of a better experience," said Orender. "They came together this week and I could not be happier."

Both teams will travel to The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, site of the 38th Ryder Cup, where they will compete in a newly-created "Friendship Bowl," blending U.S. and European players in foursomes over nine holes.

The above story is courtesy of the PGA of America. For more information, visit www.pga.com.