Lahinch, Ireland – Amanda Sambach and Ben James both picked up wins Saturday for Team USA during the second day of competition at the 2024 Palmer Cup at Lahinch Golf Club in Lahinch, Ireland. The U.S. Squad and the International Team head into Sunday’s final day of play tied at 18-18.
During Saturday morning’s foursomes competition, Sambach teamed with Maisie Filler (Florida) to post a resounding 5&4 victory against Hannah Darling (South Carolina) and Julia Lopez Ramiez (Mississippi State). James and Preston Summerhays (Arizona State) also picked up a point for Team USA with a 3&2 win over Ryan Griffin and Filip Jakubcik (Arizona).
In the afternoon mixed foursomes, Sambach and James paired up to face Sara Byrne (Miami) and Max Kennedy (Louisville) from the International Team. The Cavalier duo held the lead through 13 holes before the International rallied for three wins over the final four holes to take the match 2Up.
Sunday’s final day of play will feature 24 singles matches. Sambach will face Adela Cernousek (Texas A&M) while James will take on Kennedy.
Both Sambach and James are making their second consecutive Palmer Cup appearances. They helped Team USA to victory last season at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa.
The Palmer Cup has been played at some of the world’s greatest courses, including The Old Course at St. Andrews, The Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Baltusrol, The Honors Course, and Cherry Hills. Beginning with the 2018 matches at Evian Resort Golf Club, the Palmer Cup is the only major tournament which features men and women playing side-by-side as partners.
Since its inception, over 125 former Arnold Palmer Cup alumni have gone on to earn cards on the PGA, DP World, or LPGA Tours; 34 have represented Europe or the USA in the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, or Solheim Cup and more than 75 have claimed over 315 victories on the PGA, DP World, or LPGA Tours, including 2022 major champions Jennifer Kupcho (The Chevron Championship) and Justin Thomas (PGA Championship). The United States leads the Palmer Cup series 13-12-1.
The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation supports the Palmer Cup, which provides a platform for perpetuating Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth character development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf. For more information, please visit ArnoldPalmerCup.com.
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