GB & I captain Sam Torrance reacted to his team’s poor showing on the opening day of the Seve Trophy with just one change and that was to split the losing Scottish pair of close friends Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson.
The Glaswegian duo were handed the biggest drubbing losing convincingly 5 & 3 to Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts and Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Nicolas Colsaerts congratulates team mate Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano after handing out a 5 & 3 hiding to the Scottish pair of Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
Torrance’s team heads into today’s (FRD) Fourballs trailing 3 ½ to 1 ½ and with the team’s other all-Scotland duo of Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher delivering the only victory with a come-from-behind 3 & 2 win over Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Lawrie and Gallacher fought back from being 1 down after the first hole to be 1 up after nine and then seal victory when Lawrie holed a six-foot birdie at the 16th hole at St. Nom-la-Breteche.
However it was European Team blue in the remaining four matches and with Jose Maria Olazbal’s side earning 3 ½ points from a possible four.
“The boys gave everything today but it was just of that some of the matches could have easily turned our way that went their way but that’s what match-play is,” said Torrance.
“I might need to give them all a wee kick in the arse tonight (smiling) but then I might have to kick my own arse.
“I was really impressed with Stevie and Paul to go out first and secure a win but then it’s only the first day and the Europeans haven’t won it yet, and we’ve been in deeper holes than this.
“But then I’ve just had 45 minutes speaking with my team and they’re all very happy but we all know that Marc and Scott are very friendly and sometimes it mightn’t be that easy playing with your best mate.
“They didn’t gel and that’s why I’ve split them up.”
Lawrie and Gallacher still have not managed to fully shake off the affects of a mystery virus that’s now spread to team mate David Lynn and some of the GB & I caddies.
“Stevie and I both played nicely and with Stevie holing a couple of putts to keep us ahead at the right time then we made some birdies near the end that got us over the line,” said Lawrie.
“But first game out all you can do is try and lead the way as it’s an important position to be in.
“However it’s disappointing team start but there’s still a long way to go.
“Also there’s three of us struggling in the side now as David Lynn’s picked up the bug while a few of the caddies have also got it.
“I am staring on medicine tonight (THU) while Stevie’s been on it for a day.”
Jamieson was the hero of the last Seve Trophy but the Glaswegian had no answer two years on to his European rivals with Colsaerts and ‘Gonzo’ managing an eagle and nine birdies to the Scots five birdies.
“They played great and while we were just 2 down at the turn they then made a couple of great birdies from out of the trees, and that’s typical match-play stuff,” said Jamieson.
“But then Marc and I didn’t come off thinking we had played that badly.
“It’s so early in the tournament and you can be quite far behind going into Saturday and Sunday and still come back.
“So it’s early days yet.”
Olazabal was naturally delighted with his team’s first day effort and a year after the euphoria of the ‘Miracle of Medinah’.
“It’s not a role I enjoy the most but already it is a lot more relaxing week than the Ryder Cup and that’s without a doubt compared last year to Medinah,” he said.
“It’s a lot friendly and having Sam as an opposing captain as we have known each other for many years and we have a lot of respect for each other.
“So this is more fun than being a Ryder Cup captain.”
Results of other matches:-
Mikko Illonen & Thorbjorn Olesen (Europe) defeated with Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Wood (GB & I) 1 hole.
Francesco Molinari & Matteo Manassero (Europe) halved with Paul Casey and Simon Khan (GB & I).
Joost Luiten & Gregory Bourdy (Europe) defeated Jamie Donaldson and David Lynn (GB & I) 2 & 1
FRIDAY FOURBALLS
Paul Casey & Simon Khan (GB & I) –v- Mikko Illonen and Thorbjorn Olesen (Europe)
David Lynn & Scott Jamieson (GB & I) –v- Francesco Molinari & Matteo Manassero (Europe)
Jamie Donaldson & Marc Warren (GB & I) –v- Thomas Bjorn & Miguel Angel Jimenez (Europe)
Tommy Feetwood and Chris Wood (GB & I) –v- Joost Luiten & Gregory Bourdy (Europe)
Paul Lawrie & Stephen Gallacher (GB & I) –v- Nicolas Colsaerts & Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Europe).
