Europe ended a run of six consecutive defeats in the Junior Ryder Cup as they secured a team record 11-point victory over the United States at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.
Team Europe entered the final day singles matches with a six-point lead after a remarkable clean sweep in Wednesday’s four-balls at Golf Nazionale, and they drove home their home advantage with seven victories and three ties in 12 Thursday singles matches at this year’s Ryder Cup venue, triumphing 20½–9½.
Germany’s Helen Briem provided the Europeans with some early momentum after her 2&1 win over Yana Wilson, before Surrey’s Kris Kim defeated Miles Russell 5&4 to extend Europe’s advantage. Spaniard Andrea Revuelta holed the winning putt to seal outright victory for Team Europe for the first time since 2004 when they won the trophy on American soil in Ohio.
Scotland’s Conor Graham overcame American Jay Leng Jr 1up, while Swede Meja Örtengren defeated Gianna Clemente 3&2. Irishman Sean Keeling and Italian Giovanni Binaghi provided the two other European victories.
In the final match to finish on the course, Italy’s Francesca Fiorellini provided a moment of magic on the 18th green as she came back from 2 down with two holes to play, holing a putt from 25 feet to tie the match in front of a raucous home crowd.
European Junior Ryder Cup Captain Stephen Gallacher was delighted to bring home the trophy for his side and believes the future is bright for European golf. “It feels absolutely amazing,” he said. “I am so proud of this team and what they have achieved. The team spirit has been unbelievable, and it has been a privilege to be their Captain. Every player took control of their own game and they’ve done everything I could have asked of them. The standard of golf has blown me away and it has been inspiring to watch. We are looking at future Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup stars.
“The kids have been fantastic and the way they bounced back at times was sensational. I’ve been blessed to have a front row seat and it’s been an honour just to watch them play. Some of these boys and girls will be future World Number Ones for sure. The standard and the talent out there is unreal and the future is bright for Europe. They have all been superstars. The way they dealt with the pressure of playing in this arena has been exceptional and I think our team wanted it a bit more today.”
The European Junior team comprised six boys – Kris Kim (Eng), Sean Keeling (Ire), Peer Wernicke (Ger) Connor Graham (Scot), Lev Grinberg (Ukr), Giovanni Binaghi (Italy), and six girls – Rocio Tejedo (Spn), Meja Örtengren (Swe), Helen Briem (Ger), Nora Sundberg (Swe), Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea (Spn), Francesca Fiorellini (Italy).