Jamie van Wyk stars as England earn weekend win in France
Royal Lytham & St Annes’ Jamie van Wyk was the star man as England’s golfers defeated their French counterparts over the weekend.
The 25-year-old Lancashire men’s team member was unbeaten in his four matches, winning three of them, as England recorded a 13-11 victory at Golf de Chantilly.
An 8-4 win on Saturday, including a 4-0 clean sweep in the morning foursomes, left England requiring just four-and-a-half points from the 12 available on Sunday.
They lost 2.5-1.5 in the foursomes, meaning France needed to win six of the eight afternoon singles matches to turn the contest around.
However, the hosts could only win four-and-a-half points as England secured a 27th win in 33 matches between the sides.
It also meant back-to-back wins on French soil following the victory at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche in 2022.
England Golf’s men’s performance manager, Ben Gorvett, said: “Against such a strong French team in such a historic match, at a fantastic venue, and to come away with the trophy, is true testament to the quality that our players possess.
“It was a battle out there. Winning the Saturday foursomes 4-0 gave us a great platform but we knew the French team would come out fighting in every session after that – and that they did.
“The resilience and grit our players showed Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon is a trait that the players should be immensely proud of.
“They dug deep and they played hard for the Rose, for each other and our travelling support group.
“We are fortunate, and I am grateful, to have a world-class coach in Rob Watts and to have our performance director, Nigel Edwards, Madam President (Debbie Richards) and our CEO (Jeremy Tomlinson) providing vital support to myself and the players during this victory, which enables us to keep our momentum moving forward.”
Van Wyk had teamed up with Tom Osborne to beat Noa Auch-Roy and Octave Bailo one up in Saturday morning’s foursomes, followed by a 3&1 win over Tao Pemerika in that day’s singles.
Osborne and van Wyk then tied with Oscar Couilleau and Hugo Le Goff in Sunday morning’s foursomes before van Wyk beat Bailo one up in the afternoon singles.