US, Great Britain and Ireland tied at Curtis Cup

Jun 11, 2010 - 5:55 PM MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass.(AP) -- The United States and Great Britain and Ireland are tied with 1 1/2 points each after the first matches of the opening day of competition at the Curtis Cup at Essex County Club.

All three morning matches were halved, and the teams will square off in three alternate-shot matches later Friday.

GB&I's Sally Watson and Rachel Jennings led 2-up with two holes to play before Jennifer Johnson rolled in a clutch birdie putt to win the 17th hole and extend the match. Johnson and Jennifer Song also made par to win the 18th for the draw.

Americans Alexis Thompson and Jessica Korda squandered a 2-up lead on the back nine and tied Hannah Barwood and Holly Clyburn.

GB&Is Danielle McVeigh rolled in a long birdie putt at the 18th as she and teammate Leona Maguire rallied for a half-point against Americans Cydney Clanton and Stepahnie Kono.

The Curtis Cup pits teams of eight female amateur golfers from the United States against a team from Great Britain and Ireland. The U.S. has won six straight matches and needs 10 points to retain the cup.