Internationals make history with 20-12 Bridges Cup win at Trump Turnberry

History was made at Trump Turnberry on Wednesday as the International team won its first Bridges Cup title, defeating the United States 20-12.

Ahead of the fourth Bridges Cup, U.S. captain Jeff Fujimoto and International captain Simon Holt debated which team would be the underdog. “I think we are going to go in and upset them,” Fujimoto said. Holt replied, “I’d probably disagree that they are underdogs.”

The U.S. had won the first three editions, but the International team’s depth and talent made it clear early in the week that the fourth edition would be different. Holt’s squad led 6.5-3.5 after Monday’s opening day at the demanding King Robert The Bruce course. On Tuesday at Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, the Internationals extended their lead by winning both the morning four-ball and afternoon foursomes sessions 3-2.

That left the Americans trailing 12.5-7.5 entering Wednesday’s 12 singles matches. The U.S. needed a major comeback on a course where Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus once staged their famous “Duel in the Sun.” Instead, in the Scottish wind, the Internationals held off an early American charge on the front nine and won the first four singles matches on the way to a 20-12 victory.

“Overall, watching the International team play, I felt like they made a lot more putts,” Fujimoto said after the loss. “If we could’ve made a few more putts, I think it would’ve been a closer match.”

Daniel Faccini opened by beating Drew Kittleson 4 and 3. Jonathan Bale defeated John Peterson 1 up after all 18 holes. Andrew Davidson came from behind to beat Andrew Price on the 18th, and Dennis White defeated James Bull on the final hole to secure the Bridges Cup for the Internationals. Bull made bogey on the demanding par-4 18th after going long over the green, allowing White to win with a par.

The remaining singles produced a 7.5-4.5 International win. Drew Stoltz earned the first American point by beating Caolan Rafferty 2 up, but Colm Campbell defeated Peter Tomasula 7 and 5. Jacob Austin beat Cody Massa 2 and 1, Angus Carrick defeated Scott Strickland 4 and 2, Hoyt McGarity beat Gavin Dear 4 and 3, and Andrew Medley defeated Calum Hill 2 and 1. DJ Lanz and Lukas Mitchell halved their match.

Trump Turnberry provided a fitting stage. Conditions were excellent on the Ailsa Course, ranked 18th in the world by GOLF, which remains fresh after a 2025 renovation led by architect Martin Ebert with the Trump Organization. Several holes were improved, further strengthening the Scottish resort’s standing among the world’s top golf resorts.

The fifth Bridges Cup will be played at Nine Bridges in South Korea in 2027. After the final, the International team celebrated by dousing Holt with champagne. Jacob Austin thanked the captain for his time, commitment and preparation, saying Holt had given him three incredible experiences and that his daughter’s middle name was connected to the site of the previous event.

Source: Golf.com. By Josh Schrock.