Internationals Take 6.5-3.5 Lead After Bridges Cup Day 1

The Internationals built a 6.5-3.5 lead over the United States on the opening day of the fourth Bridges Cup, played Monday at Trump Turnberry's King Robert the Bruce course in Scotland. It is the first time the Internationals have led after day one in the event's history; the Americans won the first three editions.

How did the morning fourball session go?

The U.S. started fast. Scott Anderson and Hoyt McGarity won the opening match 3 and 2, and Cody Massa and DJ Lantz followed with a 1-up win. The Internationals then took the next three matches. Jacob Austin and Lukas Michel won 4 and 3, Jonathan Bale and Dan Faccini won 3 and 2, and Gavin Dear and Josh Jamieson closed the session with a 6-and-5 win, with Jamieson making three birdies in his first five holes. The comeback turned an early American lead into a 3-2 International advantage by lunch.

What happened in the afternoon foursomes?

Deteriorating weather did not slow the Internationals. Angus Carrick and Calum Hill won 5 and 4, and Andrew Davidson and James White followed with a 3-and-2 win. Caolan Rafferty and Colm Campbell needed until the 17th hole to close out a 1-up win over Dennis Bull and Andrew Price. The Americans answered with two results of their own: Drew Stoltz and Pete Tomasulo won 1 up, and Drew Kittleson and John Peterson halved their match against Bale and Faccini.

A three-point deficit through two sessions is the Internationals' largest overnight edge in the Bridges Cup's four-year history.

International vice captain Darragh Coghlan credited the depth of his lineup. "What I've learned about my team today is they are damn good at golf," he said. U.S. captain Jeff Fujimoto pointed to the margins. "Some guys made a few more putts than us on the other team," he said, adding that his side needs to reset its pairings for Tuesday.

What's next at the Bridges Cup?

The competition shifts to Turnberry's Ailsa course on Tuesday, with five fourball and five foursomes matches on the schedule before Wednesday's 12 singles matches decide the Cup. Tuesday's opening fourball match is set to tee off at 8:20 a.m. local time.