Ireland caress Home Internationals title

Chris Selfridge can make a serious claim for an Eisenhower Trophy place with another good performance against England on the final day of the Home Internationals at Glasgow Gailes. Picture by Pat CashmanIreland stormed to a huge win over Wales to move into pole position for the Home Internationals title going into the final day at Glasgow Gailes, writes the Scottish Golf Union.

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After edging out Scotland in a nail-biting finish to this morning’s match, the Irish maintained their momentum with a crushing 11.5 – 3.5 victory over Wales this afternoon, as they bid to land their second successive Raymond Trophy win on Scottish soil having captured the title at Muirfield four years ago.

An impressive morning saw Ireland race to a 4 – 1 foursomes lead, with Richard O’Donovan and Chris Selfridge ousting the Welsh number one pairing of James Frazer and Rhys Pugh on the final green of the opening match.

Selfridge edged out Frazer by one hole in the top singles match, although Wales rallied with a win for Jason Shufflebotham over O’Donovan while Jonathan Bale halved his match with Amateur Champion Alan Dunbar.

Reeve Whitson made it four wins from his four matches with an excellent 4 and 3 victory over recently crowned European Amateur Champion Rhys Pugh and although Luke Thomas pulled one back for the Welsh, Ireland won the last four matches to secure their position at the top of the table.

The result means Ireland go into Friday’s final day needing just a half point with England to clinch their first Home Internationals victory since 2008.