USA win PGA Cup at Loch Lomond

Great Britain & Ireland's hopes of regaining the PGA Cup were swept away as the United States crushed their hosts in the final day's singles at The Carrick on Loch Lomond on Sunday.

Craig Thomas

Great Britain & Ireland's hopes of regaining the PGA Cup were swept away as the United States crushed their hosts in the final day's singles at The Carrick on Loch Lomond on Sunday.

The US retained the Llandudno Trophy courtesy of a record 8½-1½ victory in the singles to claim a 17½-8½ overall.

GB&I captain Gary Alliss striving at the second attempt to get his hands on the Trophy, admitted his team had been soundly beaten.

Defeat for GB&I was a bitter blow after they had rallied in the Saturday fourballs to reduce the deficit to 9-7 but early hopes and expectations rapidly evaporated as the US chalked off the required points.

Houghwood Golf Club's Barry Taylor was sent out first, fighting gallantly to take Sonny Skinner to the final hole but the American preserved his 100 per cent record from four games to put the first point of the day on the board with a one hole victory.

This was quickly followed by the impressive Scott Hebert, who beat Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) by two holes to secure a maximum haul of five points for his side.

There was brief respite as GB&I's Jeremy Robinson (Twyford) secured a 2&1 success over Mike Small, but it was all in vain as Falkirk Tryst' Craig Matheson lost 3&1 to Lee Rinker before the US victory was confirmed out on the course as James Lee lost 6&5 to Mark Sheftic at the 13th green at 1.57pm.

The next PGA Cup matches will be staged at CordeValle, Northern California, in September 2011.

PGA Cup - Sunday singles results (GB&I player first)

Barry Taylor lost by one hole to Sonny Skinner Jon Bevan lost by two holes to Scott Hebert Jeremy Robinson beat Mike Small 2&1 Craig Matheson lost 3&1 to Lee Rinker Andrew Barnett lost by one hole to Steve Schneiter Paul Wesselingh lost by one hole to Craig Thomas Will Barnes lost by two holes to Ryan Benzel Jamie Harris lost 2&1 to Eric Lippert James Lee lost 6&5 Mark Sheftic Paul Simpson halved with Kyle Flinton

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