The United States had little difficulty in retaining the Warburg Cup with a 14½-9½ victory over the Rest of the World at a cold and windy Sea Island in Georgia yesterday.
Thirty-year-old Philip Archer, who cleaned up the tournaments this season in England's PGA North Region, having shot 96 under par in one spell in the late summer while winning six tournaments, was the outright leader after the third round of the European Tour qualifying school at Pals yesterday.
Archer fired a four-under-par 68 to finish on 17-under-par 198, one shot ahead of Spain's Eduardo de la Riva with England's Philip Golding one shot further back.
Gary Murphy was best placed Irishman in joint fifth on 13 under par after struggling round Pals with a 71. Damien McGrane is 10 under after a 71.
"I played rubbish today. I struggled all day and I was very happy to shoot one under in the end," Murphy said. "I had no rhythm today and it was a major, major struggle and I'll definitely take 71.
"I was hopeless with my irons today and the whole thing felt out of sync really, but I haven't gone backwards through the field. I've just looked and only one guy has gone past me. With three rounds gone it's not too bad, as I don't think anyone has gone mad at the other course.
"I had been putting well the first two days but my irons have been poor, so I'm glad to be out of here and playing the last three rounds at the other place (Emporda)."
McGrane said: "I miraculously shot one under today and I'm happy with 71 as it could easily have been 72 or 73. I didn't play well today and I didn't play well the first day here, but the 64 yesterday at Emporda was a great help. I didn't hit the ball well and the delay with the storm didn't help me, but a couple of birdies coming in were a big help to me"
Gary Cullen fell back after a 74, also at Pals, to finish up on 209, while Michael Hoey, struggling to recover from a disastrous opening 77 at Pals on Friday, recovered superbly with a 65 on Saturday and added a 68 yesterday to lie on 210. With one round remaining before the cut falls, with the top 75 players and ties progressing to the final two rounds, Hoey will have to shoot at least three-under at Pals today as the cut looks likely to be seven under.
Philip Walton, who is also one behind Cullen on 210 after yet another 71 at Pals, said: "I will have to do something special tomorrow."
Unless Stephen Browne can repeat Friday's opening 65 it appears as if he will be consigned to playing the Challenge Tour next season, as he is languishing 17 shots off the pace on 215 in 127th place in the 168-man field after a disastrous 77 yesterday.
The US team led the World squad 6½-5½ when the day began and seized command when Paul Azinger beat Germany's Bernhard Langer 4 and 3, holing a superb bunker shot at the 15th for the victory.
"It has been tremendous to be here," Langer said. "It's a shame about the weather but it was a great contest.
"Paul played fantastic and whenever he's in a bunker you know he's either going to hole it or go very close. He's one of the greatest bunker players ever."
Curtis Strange beat Scotsman Sam Torrance 4 and 3, O'Meara downed England's Nick Faldo 3 and 2 and Tom Lehman beat Argentina's Eduardo Romero 2 and 1 as the US lineup pulled away.
The World team stayed in contention as South Africa's Gary Player beat rival captain Arnold Palmer 7 and 5, Welshman Ian Woosnam downed Tom Kite 3 and 2. "I thought the weather would suit our side, but it just didn't happen for us today," said the disappointed Welshman.
Barry Lane outlasted Scott Hoch one up. But the US team would not lose again."I played lovely all day," Lane said. "I had maybe two bad shots but it's always tough when it's as windy as it was."
Hale Irwin's 2-and-1 triumph over Rodger Davis moved the Americans to 11 ½-8½ and the global seniors needed a sweep to swipe the trophy.
Fred Funk played the hero by sealing the Cup with a three stroke lead over Japan's Isao Aoki with three holes remaining. But the Asian star fought back and took the final three holes to halve the match. Floyd finished off the global group, defeating Japan's Seiji Ebihara 2 and 1 to clinch the victory.
Bob Gilder beat Stewart Ginn one up and Tom Watson halved with Denis Durnian to create the final margin. Sam Torrance had a miserable day. He lost 4 and 3 to Curtis Strange and ended the contest without a point.
