US grip on global golf weakens as GB and Ireland win Curtis Cup

The Rhodes sisters – Mimi and Patience – etched their names into Sunningdale history in dramatic scenes as Great Britain and Ireland beat the US to win the Curtis Cup for the first time in eight years and just the third time this century.

With Catriona Matthew’s side staring at defeat after their loaded top order failed to bring home the required 3½ points from the eight singles, the siblings from Somerset shrugged off their indifferent form to uphold the Rhodes family name in emphatic style.

Patience, 20, did not live up to her first name as she hurried to a 6&4 triumph over Zoe Campos, bringing Great Britain and Ireland to within two points of the magic 10½ figure. The Scot Lorna McClymont took charge of her game against Megan Schofill at the turn and the pressure was all on Rhodes Snr.

Having been three down after seven holes, the former winner of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship reeled off four birdies in five holes to take a one-up lead with four remaining.

Melanie Green was not yet done and when her opponent hooked deep into the trees and forced to punch out onto the fairway, she looked certain to win the 17th to make it all square going down the 18th, with the US knowing that 10-10 would see them retain the cup.

But with it all on the line, Mimi, 22, nervelessly holed the 20-footer for a remarkable par on that penultimate green to send her team-mates, as well as the impressive crowds at the revered Berkshire layout, into dreamland. Mimi, however, did not realise the importance of the moment.

“I didn’t even think about what the putt was for,” Rhodes said. “I was just so focused on making it, to a point where I wasn’t as nervous as I might have been. I saw the line. I saw it going in. And I knew it would make me a lot more comfortable going down 18.”

As it was, Rhodes hit her second out of bounds on the last, but by then it did not matter. The celebrations had already started. “They all played well and they all contributed,” Matthew said. “You can’t win these things with one or two players - you need everyone to play well.

It means that the mighty Americans hold only the Walker Cup out of the big four team events, with the Curtis Cup joining the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup on this side of the pond. It surely also quietens talk that the 92-year-old women’s amateur team match should expand to take in Europe after three consecutive US triumphs in succession prior to this week.

Inspired by Matthew - the former Women’s Open winner who led Europe to Solheim Cup wins in 2019 and 2021 - GB&I belied the world amateur rankings and once again highlighted the appeal of team matchplay. And, of course, the crucial factor of everyone playing a part and not only the stars.

Lottie Woad, the world amateur No 1, was undefeated until she lost the first singles 3&2 to Asterisk Talley and Hannah Darling had won three out of three before succumbing 3&2. They delivered their points on the first two days and will be relieved that the lower order was able to rise to the challenge.

For Matthew, it was another entry on an already creaking CV. The Scot was the first professional to captain a Curts Cup team and was clearly a huge success and do not be surprised if the policy is repeated.

“This is right up with the Solheim wins,” Matthew said. “It’s all the same emotions. Any time you captain a team and represent your country, there is no bigger honor. I had a fantastic team.

“They played some amazing golf, as did the Americans. They gave us a real battle. We were 7-5 ahead overnight but we knew they would come out strong today and they did. There was a lot of red on the board out there and I’m just glad my players maybe did not get to see it. But this team dug deep. I couldn’t be happier for them. Women’s golf has a very strong future.”