SURREY, England – LSU’s junior All-American Stewart Jolly wrapped up his international debut at the 2014 Palmer Cup during Saturday’s singles action as he dropped a 3&2 decision to Central Florida’s Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal as the Europeans stormed to an 18.5-11.5 victory over the United States in the event held this weekend at Walton Heath Golf Club.
After kicking off Saturday’s finale knotted at 10 points apiece following the first two days of the competition, the Europeans claimed 8.5 of a possible 10 points in the final round of singles matches to defend their home turf and dethrone the United States as this year’s Palmer Cup champions. Team USA won a resounding victory at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, a year ago by a 20.5-9.5 margin.
Jolly never gained the edge in the match despite remaining all square through eight holes. That’s when Gouveia jumped out to a commanding 3-up lead by winning consecutive holes at Nos. 9-11, extended his lead for 4-up through 13 holes in the match before closing out Jolly with a 3&2 victory after playing 16 holes.
Georgia Tech All-American Ollie Schniederjans claimed the only victory for the United States during Saturday’s singles matches with a 5&3 victory over England’s Louis Tomlinson.
Arizona State’s John Rahm (Spain) scored the point that clinched the Palmer Cup victory for the Europeans with a 4&2 victory over Oklahoma State’s Wyndham Clark. Illinois’ Thomas Detry (Belgium), UAB’s Paul Dunne (Ireland), San Diego’s Grant Forrest (Scotland), Stirling’s Jack McDonald (Scotland), Arizona’s Erik Oja (Sweden) and Houston’s James Ross (Scotland) also won their matches for the Europeans.
Southern California’s Rico Hoey of Team USA and Central Arkansas’ Pep Angles of Team Europe halved the final match of the competition as the Europeans closed out their 18.5-11.5 victory for three days of action.
The Palmer Cup is an annual Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top American and top European golfers competing at the collegiate level each season. Jolly’s appearance at the 2014 Palmer Cup has helped cap a brilliant 2013-14 season that saw him also earn Third-Team All-America honors by both PING and Golfweek and First-Team All-SEC honors for the first time in his collegiate career with the Tigers.
Final Round Singles Results
Game 21: James Ross, Europe def. Brandon Hagy, USA, 3 and 2
Game 22: Grant Forrest, Europe def. Trey Mullinax, USA, 3 and 2
Game 23: Paul Dunne, Europe def. Robby Shelton, USA, 1-up
Game 24: Ollie Schniederjans, USA def. Louis Tomlinson, Europe, 5 and 3
Game 25: Jack McDonald, Europe def. Bryson Dechambeau, USA, 2 and 1
Game 26: Thomas Detry, Europe def. Jack Maguire, USA, 4 and 3
Game 27: Jon Rahm, Europe def. Wyndham Clark, USA, 4 and 2
Game 28: Erik Oja, Europe def. Anthony Maccaglia, USA, 3 and 2
Game 29: Ricardo Gouveia, Europe def. Stewart Jolly, USA, 3 and 2
Game 30: Pep Angles, Europe halved Rico Hoey, USA