Ireland 27th as USA win Eisenhower

The USA team of (left-right) Justin Thomas, Chris Williams and Steven Fox lifts the Eisenhower Trophy. (Steve Gibbons/IGF)Ireland’s Gavin Moynihan and Kevin Phelan finished tied 27th as the United States won its 14th Eisenhower Trophy by five shots at Antalya Golf Club in Turkey.

With British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar of Rathmore forced to sit out the weather-shortened event due to illness, Phelan closed with a two over 73 and Moynihan a 74 to leave the two-man Irish team 26 shots adrift of the American trio on two over par. Team scores Individual

US Amateur champion Steven Fox and world amateur No 1 Chris Williams both shot two-under 69’s as Justin Thomas posted a non-counting 70 to leave the US squad with a 54-hole record aggregate of 24-under par 404.

Mexico finished second with its star player Sebastian Vazquez taking the individual honours by a shot from Williams on 15-under 199.

Wateford Castle star Phelan tied for 26th in the individual standings on three under with The Island’s Moynihan tied or 77th on five over.

“It has been since 2004 that the trophy has found its way to the USA and it is great to have it coming back to our shores,” said USA captain Jim Vernon. “They are three guys who bonded well and played golf as a team.”

The previous low total for 54 holes was 407 by the USA in Puerto Rico in the 2004, which was also reduced to 54 holes because of weather.

“It’s fun to win as an individual,” said Williams. “But to win as a team is awesome and it doesn’t get any better than doing it as representative of the USA.”

While Mexico finished in the medals for the first time, defending champions France shared the bronze with Germany and the Republic of Korea on 15-under 413.

Canada and Norway tied for sixth on 417 with England in eighth on 418 and Japan, Venezuela and Spain tied for ninth at 419.