WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Carrying a slim two-point lead into the 20 singles matches, the West Team scored five of the first six points Thursday, July 30th, 2015, en route to its third straight Wyndham Cup victory, 27.5-22.5. With the win, the West improved its record to 14-9-3 in the all-time series.
Though the East Team carried momentum from Wednesday night, the West Team added to its two-point lead early in the day. Jacob Solomon, who was added to the West roster less than a week ago, led with a 1-up victory, bringing his record for the week to 3-0-1.
Haley Moore followed with a win in the second match, bringing her record to 4-0-0 in her Wyndham Cup debut.
“It means a lot to get a win in an early match because that gives the team confidence in their matches,” said Moore, who was the only player to win four matches on the week. “It’s great to be undefeated and get points on the board for the West. It’s been one of my goals since I’ve been on the AJGA and I’m very happy I was able to play.”
In the third match, Sam Burns defeated Braden Thornberry, 2 and 1, and the West quickly built a five-point lead, 19-14.
The East Team rallied and pulled to within 24.5-20.5 by winning five of six matches midway through the day. Jillian Hollis was part of that afternoon surge, and her 1-up win added to an unblemished 3-0-1 record for the week.
“I made my putt on the last hole to win and I got off the green and started tearing up immediately because this is my last AJGA event,” said Hollis, who will play for University of Georgia this fall. “This is my favorite tournament of the entire year. It’s tough losing, but it’s still so much fun to be a part of.”
In the end, the West’s lead proved to be insurmountable. Nathan Jeansonne clinched the Wyndham Cup by guaranteeing a half-point when he went dormie 3 in his match, but it was reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion Philip Barbaree who put the Cup-clinching point on the board. A two-putt par on No. 18 gave him a 1-up win over Won Jun Lee, giving the West 25.5 points and the Wyndham Cup victory.
“This means so much to me, to have so many of my close friends on the West Team with me. I’m really proud of how all of the West players played today,” said Barbaree, who went 2-2-0 in his Wyndham Cup debut. “It was an awesome atmosphere here. Having teammates cheering me on as I came down the stretch really helped me come out with a win.”