Rickie Fowler Helps U.S. Grab Lead At Palmer Cup

Oklahoma State sophomore-to-be Rickie Fowler posted a 1-1 mark during the first day of action at the Palmer Cup on Thursday at Glasgow Golf Club Gailes Links to help the U.S. squad take a 6-5-5.5 lead over the European team.

During the morning four-ball session, the Europeans grabbed a 2.5-1.5 lead that included a 4 and 2 victory by Jorge Campillo and Tim Sluiter over Fowler and Billy Horschel of Florida. Counting birdies on Nos. 1, 5 and 6, the Europeans built a four-hole margin after six holes. The Americans would record birdies of their own on 13 and 14 to cut the lead to two before Sluiter birdied the next two holes to close out the match.

Fowler was part of string of five-straight singles victories during the afternoon by the U.S. to help push the Americans in front. After Chesson Hadley recorded the first U.S. singles point, Fowler followed by knocking off Charles Ford, 4 and 3, to even his mark in the event.

The Murrieta, Calif., native led through two holes, but trailed Ford after conceding Nos. 4 and 5. However, Fowler gained control of the match by winning the next five holes with a stretch that saw him go birdie, birdie, eagle, birdie, par. Ford would cut the lead back to two with birdies at Nos. 11 and 13 before Fowler closed out the match by winning the next two holes.

Fowler will be paired with UCLA's Kevin Chappell for tomorrow morning's foursome match. The duo will take on Campillo and Sluiter.

2008 Palmer Cup presented by Monster
Day One Results
Glasgow Golf Club Gailes Links
Irvine, Scotland

Four-Ball Matches Results
Jonas Blixt/Jonas Enander Hedin, Europe def. Chesson Hadley/Adam Mitchell, USA, 1-up
Jonathan Caldwell/Gareth Shaw, Europe halved Kevin Chappell/Aaron Goldberg, USA
Derek Fathauer/Michael Thompson, USA def. Scott Borrowman/Charles Ford, Europe, 2 and 1
Jorge Campillo/Tim Sluiter, Europe def. Rickie Fowler/Billy Horschel, USA, 4 and 2

Day-One Singles Matches Results
Rickie Fowler, USA def., Charles Ford, Europe, 4 and 3
Aaron Goldberg, USA def. Jonas Enander Hedin, Europe, 2-up
Jonas Blixt, Europe def. Adam Mitchell, USA, 5 and 4
Chesson Hadley, USA def. Jonathan Caldwell, Europe, 2 and 1
Derek Fathauer, USA def. Gareth Shaw, Europe, 1-up
Scott Borrowman, Europe def. Billy Horschel, USA, 1-up
Kevin Chappell, USA def. Jorge Campillo, Europe, 4 and 3
Tim Sluiter, Europe def. Michael Thompson, USA, 1-up

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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