The Rhodes sisters – Mimi and Patience – etched their names into Sunningdale history in dramatic scenes on Sunday as Great Britain and Ireland beat the United States to win the Curtis Cup for the first time in eight years and just the third time this century.
With Catriona Matthew’s side staring down a defeat after their loaded top order failed to bring home the required 3½ points from the eight singles, the siblings from Somerset shrugged off their indifferent form to uphold the Rhodes family name in emphatic style.
Patience, 20, did not live up to her christian name by hurrying to a 6&4 triumph over Zoe Campos, bringing Great Britain and Ireland to within two points of the magic 10½ figure. The Scot Lorna McClymont took charge of her game over Megan Schofill at the turn and the pressure was all on Rhodes Snr in her match against Melanie Green.
Having been three down after seven holes, the former winner of the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Championship reeled off four birdies in five holes to take a one-up lead with four remaining.
Green was not yet done and looked certain to win the 17th to make it all square going down the 18th, with the US knowing that 10-10 would see them retain the cup. But with it all on the line, Mimi, 22, nervelessly holed a 15-footer on that penultimate green to send her team-mates, as well as the impressive Berkshire crowds, into euphoria.
It means that the mighty Americans hold only the Walker Cup out of the big four team events, with the Curtis Cup joining the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup on this side of the pond. It surely also quietens talk that the 92-year-old women’s amateur team match should expand to take in Europe after three consecutive US triumphs in succession prior to this week.
Inspired by Matthew – the former Women’s Open winner who led Europe to Solheim Cup wins in 2019 and 2021 – GB&I belied the world amateur rankings and once again highlighted the appeal of team matchplay.
Lottie Woad, the world amateur No 1, was undefeated until losing the first singles 3&2 to Asterisk Talley and Hannah Darling had won three out of three before also succumbing 3&2. They contributed their points on the first two days and will be relieved that the lower order could rise to the challenge.
For Matthew, it was another entry on an already creaking CV. The Scot was the first professional to captain a Curtis Cup team and was clearly a huge success. “This is right up with the Solheim wins,” she said. “The girls were tremendous, knuckled down and fought every day. They are very talented, as are the Americans, and women’s golf has a great future.”
