GOLF: The eight players to represent Britain and Ireland in the sixth staging of the Palmer Cup against the US were named yesterday. The competition, which pitches elite college players in Britain and Ireland against those in the US, contains just one home-based player, UCD and Ireland's Justin Kehoe.
The Britain and Ireland players are Geoff Harris (Old Dominion University), Kehoe (UCD), Stuart Manley (University of West Florida), Philip Rowe (Stanford University), Andy Smith (Southeastern Louisiana University), Justin Walters (NC State University), Oliver Wilson (Augusta State Universities) and Stuart Wilson (University of Abertay).
The matches comprise part of the Co Clare links course Doonbeg's grand opening and take place from July 11th-12 following an exhibition game between course designer Greg Norman and Padraig Harrington on July 9th.
Four of the Britain and Ireland players already have Palmer Cup experience: South of Ireland title-holder Kehoe, Rowe and both Wilsons, who played in the 2001 event.
The last time the event was held in Europe, Britain and Ireland defeated the US 12½ to 11½. This is the first time the matches will be contested in Ireland. The US lead the series with three wins, one loss and one tie.
Meanwhile, six-time major champion Nick Faldo has confirmed his participation in the Smurfit European Open at the K Club from July 4th-7th. As evidenced by his joint-fifth finish last weekend at the US Open at Bethpage, New York, the 44-year-old has begun to find a vein of form after several years struggling with his game. He finished the championship as the second highest European behind Spain's fourth-placed Sergio Garcia.
