Europe have lifted the Seve Trophy for only the second time in the competition’s history, overcoming Great Britain and Ireland 15-13 on the final day.

Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Breteche in France was the mouthful of a setting for the competition, named for the late Seve Ballesteros since 2000, the last time Europe took the title.

In the eighth edition of the tournament, Europe took home the victory on a final day which began tied at 9-9. Francesco Molinari sealed victory, as he did in last year’s Ryder Cup for a Europe team including Britain and Ireland, dispatching of Englishman Chris Wood 3&2.

In a team of lesser-known players for Great Britain and Ireland, after Rory Mcilroy, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood declined the chance to take part, top seed Jamie Donaldson was unable to dispatch of Gonzalo Fernandez-Costano in the top match.

This shock defeat typified the day for Europe, as Sam Torrence’s team of rookies lost out to big names such as Colsaerts, Manessero and Jimenez. Despite this there were several positive results for the team, with Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren scoring good wins, while Tommy Fleetwood was magnificent in his disposal of Joost Luiten, running out a 3&2 victor.

Meanwhile, after a rescheduling of the Seve Trophy, the President’s Cup took place on the same week in the United States, as Fred Couples led them to an 18.5 to 15.5 victory at Muirfield Village in Ohio.

Jack Nicklaus, host for this event on the golf club he designed, said this would most likely be his last significant involvement in the game, so the victory will have special resonance with the 18 time major winner.

On the same course which Europe demolished the States in the Solheim Cup two months ago, the USA took on the Rest of the World (excluding Europe) in a typically one-sided affair.

In a tournament more appealing to the big name players, world number one Tiger Woods secured the winning point, on a final day in which the US made hard work of victory.

Going into the day 14-8 ahead, victories for Jason Day, Graham DeLaet and Ernie Els held up an early finish for the States, in a performance Els has described as the best yet in his eight experiences of the tournament.

The main controversy of the day was involved no balls however, as female streaker Kimberley Webster interrupted Tiger Woods’ round, claiming that she did so as the golf was too “boring”.

Surprisingly, she received only a $99 fine for her troubles.

Jamie Kirby

Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph