LIGONIER, Penn. – Team USA did just enough to hold off a late Team International charge and win the 2023 Arnold Palmer Cup 32-28 at Laurel Valley Golf Club.
Entering Saturday’s final round down 11 points, Team International won 14 singles, twice as many their United States counterparts, but Zoe Campos secured the Cup for Team USA in tying her match against Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.
“I know we struggled out there a bit with the individual matches (today), but I’m glad to get it done,” Campos said. “Honoring Mr. Palmer is something I’ll never forget.”
In his 3&2 victory over Team International’s Frederik Kjettrup, Ben James carded an albatross on the 534-yard, par-5 third hole with a 7-iron from 178 yards out.
“I didn’t see it go in, but the pitch mark was like three feet in front of it, so I imagine that I landed it and it hopped in,” said James.
James then chipped in for eagle on the par-5 sixth hole.
“I stayed in control and drove really well after being up early,” he said. “I kept it in the fairway and gave myself opportunities to make birdie. This week was definitely one of the best memories of my life.”
Emilia Migliaccio concluded her record-fifth Palmer Cup by never trailing in her 2Up victory over Wake Forest teammate and previously-unbeaten Lauren Walsh.
“It was really special that we got to play all 18 holes together in our last amateur tournament,” said Migliaccio. “To have Lauren and Rachel (Kuehn), two of my closest friends, here is something we’ll always remember.”
“I feel the legacy of Arnold Palmer here at the Palmer Cup. This week, you’re constantly reminded of the values that are important. Everyone wants to win and we’re all extremely competitive, but it’s about the bigger picture and the camaraderie between both teams. Each Palmer Cup has kind of felt that way, but to be able to do what I did, not play college golf for a year and come back was really, really special. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Team USA Head Coach Derek Radley and his wife, Sara, named their first-born Palmer in honor of Mr. Palmer.
“I am so honored to have been selected to coach these amazing players,” Radley said. “I’m so proud of how they came together as one this week. This was the goal, and we talked a lot about how the United States won the Ryder Cup here in 1975 in the only other team event hosted at Laurel Valley Golf Club. It’s a week I’ll never forget.”
“I was FaceTiming my family the whole week, showing them everything, and I can’t wait to get back home and keep telling stories about everything I saw being back here in southwestern Pennsylvania,” he continued. “Mr. Palmer means a lot to us personally, and I hope my son grows up one day to be like him.”
Tyran Snyders of Team International won every match he played during the 2023 Palmer Cup, including Saturday’s 3&2 victory over Maxwell Moldovan, who entered the morning 2-0-1 on the week.
“It honestly means a lot,” Snyders said. “I had a pretty good year going, and towards the end (of the season), I had some tough rounds and tough days. I’ve seen a lot of good things this week, which is showing that what I’m working on is working. To go and do this at such a prestigious event and contribute every point I could to the team means a lot to me.”
“I feel like this week was bigger than itself,” continued Snyders. “It’s about the memories you make, and as they say, this is probably one of the best weeks of your life, so make the most of it.”
In his third-straight Palmer Cup appearance, Team USA’s Nick Gabrelcik won every match he played in this week, including Saturday’s 1Up victory against Sampson Zheng. Campos (2-0-2) and Gordon Sargent (3-0-1) also finished unbeaten.
Team International’s Mirabel Ting defeated Amari Avery, who entered the day 7-0 in career Palmer Cup matches, 2&1 with four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 third hole.
“I got a really good start,” said Ting. “Even though there were a couple of up and downs today, it was fun playing against Amari. The formats here this week were really cool and it’s awesome to know where your weaknesses are when you’re not in the fairway. I learned a lot today and this week.”
Christiaan Maas used two eagles and four birdies to earn the 5&3 win over previously-unbeaten Caleb Surratt.
Each year, a man and woman are voted upon by their peers to receive exemptions into the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and Amundi Evian Championship. The 2023 recipients were David Ford and Rachel Kuehn.
“I was thinking back to when I caddied in the Palmer Cup a few years ago, remembering so vividly that there was one player designated to get an exemption into that event,” said Ford. “To have my name called is really cool and comes full circle.”
“I’m really honored because I got voted in by the rest of the players,” Kuehn, who celebrated her 22nd birthday Saturday, said. “I feel really lucky to be given the opportunity to represent the Arnold Palmer Cup and everyone here well that week.”
On February 13, 2002, former Penn State University golfer and GCAA Arnold Palmer Cup intern Michael Carter died in an automobile accident at the young age of 19. While Carter tragically left this world too soon, his infectiously fun-loving spirit will forever live in this competition. The Michael Carter “Junior” Memorial Award is presented to the Arnold Palmer Cup participant from each team who best represents the qualities and ideals that made this young man unique.
The 2023 recipients were Derek Hitchner and Mateo Fernández de Oliveira.
For more information visit arnoldpalmercup.com.
About the Arnold Palmer Cup
The Arnold Palmer Cup was co-founded by Arnold Palmer and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and began at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Fla., in 1997. The event is a Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top men’s and women’s university/college golfers matching the United States against a team of International players. The Palmer Cup has been played at some of the world’s greatest courses, including The Old Course at St. Andrews, The Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Baltusrol, The Honors Course, and Cherry Hills. Beginning with the 2018 matches at Evian Resort Golf Club, the Palmer Cup is the only major tournament which features men and women playing side-by-side as partners.
Since its inception, over 125 former Arnold Palmer Cup alumni have gone on to earn cards on the PGA, DP World, or LPGA Tours; 34 have represented Europe or the USA in the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, or Solheim Cup and more than 75 have claimed over 315 victories on the PGA, DP World, or LPGA Tours, including 2023 major champions Jon Rahm (Masters Tournament) and Lilia Vu (Chevron Championship). The United States leads the Palmer Cup series 14-12-1.
The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation supports the Palmer Cup, which provides a platform for perpetuating Arnold Palmer’s commitment to youth character development and the growth of amateur/collegiate golf. For more information, please visit ArnoldPalmerCup.com.
About the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation
The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation continues the Palmer family’s mission to champion youth health and development. By continuing their efforts to ensure every child gets the opportunity to live a life well played — through support for nature-focused well-being and character development through golf — the foundation is committed to keeping the Palmer legacy at the forefront of the global conversation of golf and society at large. Learn more at PalmerFoundation.org.
Rolex and the Arnold Palmer Cup
Through an unwavering commitment to the game of golf for more than 50 years, Rolex has developed one of the broadest and longest-standing relationships between brand and sport. These strong ties date back to 1967 when Rolex partnered with legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, making him the first official Rolex Golf Testimonee. The charismatic American holds a special place in golf history thanks as much to his natural talent and successful playing career as to his pioneering role in the sport. Since that pivotal bond began, Rolex has gone on to establish partnerships at every level of the sport, including with the governing bodies responsible for advancing the sport and with the finest players, from The Big Three to the New Guard who lead today’s rankings. The decision to partner with the Arnold Palmer Cup was thus a natural progression for the Swiss watchmaker and a tribute to Arnold Palmer’s inspiring legacy.
About Rolex
Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacturer. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized around the world for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance, and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches are certified by COSC, then tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by an independent external organization.
The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster watch. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history. Rolex has registered over 500 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops, and produces the majority of its watch components, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly, and finishing of the movement, case, dial, and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport, and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
About Nike
The exclusive footwear, apparel, headwear, and glove supplier of the Arnold Palmer Cup, our mission is what drives us to do everything possible to expand human potential. We do that by creating groundbreaking sport innovations, by making our products more sustainably, by building a creative and diverse global team, and by making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.