Sam Torrance’s GB & I team has history on their side as they seek to retain the Seve Trophy.
Torrance’s men fought back from being two points down after yesterday morning’s (SAT) Foursomes encounter to square the event nine points apiece after winning three of the four afternoon Foursomes matches.
The all-Scotland pair of Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher halved the first match of the day yesterday (SAT) with the then unbeaten European duo of Nicolas Colsaerts and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Sam Torrance with the Sunday Singles list. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
However history then went against the GB & I team for a first time in the 13-year history as they eventually lost the morning Foursomes 2 ½ to 1 ½.
Torrance stuck with the Tartan duo sending them out first again in the afternoon to again face the Colsaerts and ‘Gonzo’.
And the Scots delivered Torrance the start he wanted humbling their rivals in racing to 3 up after five holes and then 4 up through 11 holes before claiming a 2 & 1 victory.
Marc Warren and Jamie Donaldson combined for a similar victory over the Scandinavian pair of Thomas Bjorn and Mikko Illonen.
Dutchman Joost Luiten and home town hero Gregory Bourdy maintained their unbroken record winning a fourth match with a 2 up victory over Chris Wood and struggling Scot Scott Jamieson.
Then in the last match 49-year old Miguel Angel Jimenez sank a birdie putt moments before David Lynn gave Torrance a third point in matching the Spaniard’s birdie and win 1 up.
“It was just fantastic Stevie and Paul knocked over Europe’s key two in Nicolas and Gonzo in the very first match as that was the key,” said Torrance.
“They went straight out after halving their match this morning with them and soon went 3 up after five, so that was marvellous.
“And while Nicolas and Gonzo pegged it back a bit, Stevie then played such a great second shot on 17 that was just incredible.
“So I am delighted with them and that’s why you put your best groups out first to show the other boys, and that set the tone not only for this morning but today overall.”
Only once in the 13-year history of the event GB & I has been behind heading to the Singles and that was six years ago when GB & I came from behind to win by five points.
Now Torrance, and without his six leading qualifiers who have snubbed the event, is looking to deliver the British Isles its seventh straight success.
“The spirit amongst the team is also fantastic and that’s just helping so much,” said Torrance.
“The great thing is that we’re not behind now going into the Singles as we’ve been behind at the end of the three opening rounds, so it’s all to play for now.”
This week is Gallacher’s debut in the event and with his young son, Jack by his side the Bathgate pro could not be happier.
“Given the stuffing Nicolas and Gonzo gave us on Friday it was good to get the better of them today,” said the flame-haired pro.
“It’s not revenge so much but just nice to beat them.
“It was important we put that first point on the board and Paul and I thought after birding three of the final four holes in the morning to win a point, all we wanted to do was to keep that momentum going in the afternoon.
“There’s now 10 points up for grabs in the Singles, so all I can do is go out and win a point for the team and hope the other boys do the same.
“It’s been a brilliant week. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve also got my lucky mascot here with me in wee Jack.”
And Lawrie, who is coming off back-to-back Ryder Cup victories, could very well walk all the way home to Aberdeen if he’s part of the third straight GB & I team.
He said: “You want it quite tight going into the Singles. You don’t want one team having a big lead, then see what happens tomorrow.”
