3 things that stood out 

SAINT-LAURENT-NOUAN, France — The first day of matches on the Bridges Cup has wrapped. The U.S. and Europe tied with three factors every after the morning fourball matches, then Team USA pulled forward through the afternoon. The U.S. leads with seven factors over Team Europe’s 5 factors heading into Sunday. 

After watching 13 hours of golf on Saturday, I famous three qualities that stood out: the excellence of play; the sweetness and selection supplied by each programs at Les Bordes; and the distinctive camaraderie that outcomes from group match play.

Team USA and Team Europe every have 12 opponents who all have plus-handicaps — the common handicap of Team USA is +2.7, and Team Europe’s common is +3.5. There had been not less than 86 birdies recorded on Friday, together with 5 eagles. I’ve watched a whole lot of tournaments at a wide range of ranges, and I used to be stunned by the standard of play throughout this primary day of Bridges Cup. Especially coming down the stretch, with Team Europe’s Ollie Daws and Team USA’s Drew Kittleson every practically eagling their remaining holes to place factors on the board, being a spectator was a blast.

The morning’s fourball matches had been held at Les Bordes’ New Course — a 7,300-yard Gil Hanse design that opened for play in 2021. Its open fairways, that are constructed on a sandy base, play agency and quick. Large waste areas and interesting inexperienced complexes greet golfers on practically each gap, and the course flows seamlessly from begin to end. 

The afternoon’s fourball matches had been held on the Old Course, a 7,000-yard Robert von Hagge design that opened in 1987. Unlike the New Course, which is extensive open and designed to play low, the Old Course is tree-lined and peppered with mounds and extreme undulations that demand precision from each shot. It is notoriously tough — for a few years, a golfer’s title was added to a board contained in the clubhouse in the event that they managed to interrupt 80, and Jean Van de Velde holds the course file with a one-under 71. For golfers and spectators alike, the story of two programs made for an attention-grabbing one-two punch on this 36-hole day.

Lastly, the friendships that ensue from group match play is unparalleled. Golf is simply too usually such a person sport, it’s tough to really feel like a teammate whenever you’re taking part in your personal ball. Watching these guys get into it was a blast, and it left me questioning why extra golf tournaments aren’t structured as true group occasions.

Two rounds at Les Bordes stay — foursomes matches on the New Course will kick off the motion on Sunday, adopted by singles matches on the identical course. 

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Mayo is GOLF’s Editorial Director and oversees the model’s imaginative and prescient and technique. Whether content material lives digitally or in print, Mayo ensures that its requirements dwell as much as these established by GOLF’s chairman. Before becoming a member of the GOLF group, Ashley spent 11 years as an editor at Golf Digest. While there, she earned her Masters diploma from Columbia’s School of Journalism. Before becoming a member of Golf Digest, Mayo competed on the first-ever ladies’s golf group on the University of Virginia. She can be the Head of Brand at GOLF’s mum or dad firm, 8AM Golf.