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EmailThe United States took home another golf trophy Saturday, holding on for a four-shot victory at the Spirit International Amateur, an international team event held every two years.
The victory only marks the continuation of a long streak of team victories for the Red, White and Blue. Currently in the possession of the United States also are the Presidents Cup, Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Solheim Cup, Curtis Cup, Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Solheim Cup.
The U.S., represented by Jordan Speith, Ben Martin, Alexis Thompson and Jennifer Johnson, finished the four-day event at 45 under, four shots better than South Korea. Denmark finished third, 12 shots back of the U.S., in the format that only counts total birdies.
Thompson and Spieth are both No. 1 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Junior Rankings. Johnson is a freshman at Arizona State, while Martin is a senior at Clemson.
On the women’s side, Thompson and Johnson shot a final-round 68 to finish at 24-under 264 and cruise to a seven-shot division victory over South Korea (Jee-Hee Kim and Hyo-Joo Kim).
On the men’s side, Spieth and Martin closed in 69, their worst round of the tournament, to tie for sixth at 21-under 267, six shots back of division winners Italy (Matteo Manassero, low amateur at this year’s British Open, and Andrea Pavan of defending NCAA champion Texas A&M).
Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cuppers Matthew Haines and Stiggy Hodson teamed to finish eighth for England.
Two years ago, the United States tied for second, two shots back of England. The U.S. also finished second in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
