Scotland’s ultra-talented Connor Graham won his Singles match to help deliver Europe a stunning victory and in the process help end a 15-year USA domination of the Junior Ryder Cup in Rome.
Graham, a member at both Crail Golfing Society and Blairgowrie clubs, defeated his American rival Jay Leng Jnr 1up with his birdie at the final hole handing Europe 14 1/2 points just minutes before Spain’s Andrea Revuelta sent her rival Ryleigh Knaub packing with a 8 & 6 drubbing to take Europe to 15 1/2 pionts and all that Stephen Gallacher’s ultra-talented side required for victory on the Marco Simone course in Rome.
Europe eventually claimed an emphatic 20 1/2 to 9 1/2 victory over their American rivals.
Congratulations 🇪🇺 captain @stevieggolf
Leads his team, including unbeaten 🏴Connor Graham @CrailGolf & @BlairgowrieGC , to a stunning 2⃣0⃣.5⃣ to 9⃣.5⃣ triumph @marcosimonegolf 👏👍
Now for the @rydercup 🏆 victory double 👏 https://t.co/hxkEbXcszt
— Crail Golfing Society (@CrailGolf) September 28, 2023
The young European team of six boys and six girls went into the deciding Singles leading 12-6 after Wednesday’s 6-nil domination of the Americans and needing just two points to win back the Junior Ryder Cup for a first time since 2006.
Spaniard Rocio Tejedo secured a half-point with a draw in the opening match to take Europe up to 12 1/2 before reigning R & A Boys Amateur Champion Kris Kim of England easily won his match 5 & 4 to take Europe to 13 1/2 and half-a-point of victory.
Graham fought back from losing the 17th to a Leng birdie to then birdie the 18th and take his team European team to 14 1/2 points and ensure the soon-to-be 17-year-old remained undefeated over his four matches with two wins and two halves.
Watching-on from the sidelines was Graham’s proud parents Stuart and June and Connor’s older brother, Gregor.
Victory for the Gallacher captained side ends a run of six Junior Ryder Cup victories since 2008 to the Americans,
