GOLF DIGEST:EUROPEAN TEAMS: Ireland are within one match of completing back-to-back victories in the European Girls Team Championship after another highly successful day in Denmark.
They reached their second successive final at Aalborg at a canter, demolishing Spain 4½-½, and will meet top qualifiers France today in the decider.
For the fourth day in a row Cavan twins Leona and Lisa Maguire were in majestic form, but the other members of the team, Royal Portrush’s Stephanie Meadow and Laura McCarthy of Muskerry, also played their part in this semi-final romp.
Playing at the top of the order, the Maguires, from Slieve Russell, made a flying start against Rocio Sanchez and Noemi Jiminez, were soon four up and eased their way to a 4 and 3 success.
Meadows and McCarthy made it 2-0 with a well-deserved 3 and 2 defeat of Anna Arrese and Camilla Hedberg: they both played well from tee and fairway and chipped and putted superbly.
France beat Sweden 3½-1½.
Ireland’s Boys will today attempt to win flight B at Klassis in Turkey to finish in ninth. They beat Scotland 3-2 yesterday and will today face Spain.
In the Men’s championship at Osterakers, Sweden, Ireland defeated Belgium 3½-1½ and take on Norway for 13th place. England will play Sweden in the final of the championship.
Ireland’s Women did not play at La Manga but face Belgium today in the 14th place play-off.
US TOUR:Defending champion Steve Stricker moved into the clubhouse lead after an early second-round 66 at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.
Stricker followed an opening 11-under-par 60 at TPC Deere Run with a five-under second round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys to take the world number four to 16 under par.
