RI's Welch Goes Undefeated, Team USA Wins 2016 Junior Ryder Cup

Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team

RI's Welch Goes Undefeated, Team USA Wins 2016 Junior Ryder Cup

Patrick Welch goes 3-0 and helps Team USA win the Jr. Ryder Cup
Classical High School golf star Patrick Welch and Team USA won the 2016 Junior Ryder Cup 15 1/2 -8 1/2 over Team Europe on Tuesday at Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota. 

Team USA has now won five straight Junior Ryder Cups. The 2018 Junior Ryder Cup will be held at Disneyland Golf near Paris. 

Welch, USA Seal Ryder Cup Win in Tuesday Singles 

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In Tuesday's singles match, Welch and his opponent, Europe's Adrien Pendaries, were one of the first groups off in the morning. 

In the match, Welch drained a 35-foot eagle putt as well as five birdies en route to a 6-under par round and a five up lead. He would maintain that lead and close the match out on the 14th hole.  

The victory gave him a 3-0 Junior Ryder Cup record for the week and put early points on the board for Team USA. 

The final point was clinched by Team USA's Eugene Hong who held on to beat Europe's Matias Honkala one up. 

Welch Goes 2-0 on Day One

Patrick Welch and partner Lucy Li
The Junior Ryder Cup began on Monday, September 26 with two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 

In the morning, Welch teamed with Eugene Hong for a foursome match (alternate shot) against Europe’s Falko Hanisch and Matias Honkala.

The match was close throughout, coming down to the final hole where Welch and Hong managed to come away with the one up victory. 

However, Team USA and Team Europe were tied at three points each at the conclusion of the session. 

In the afternoon session, Welch teamed with Lucy Li for a mixed four ball match against Europe’s Matias Honkala and Emile Alba Paltrinieri.

Welch and Li would cruise to a 4 up victory and help Team USA take 7-5 lead at the end of day one. 

Patrick Welch and The Game of Golf 

Welch says he picked up the game from his dad “around age two or three.” 

Most recently, he finished 2nd at the Junior PGA Championship that was held at Wannamoistt Country Club in early August. The finish earned him a spot on the Ryder Cup team. 

In 2014, he won the inaugural Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship at Augusta National Golf Club. 

He also advanced to the round of 64 at the U.S. Junior Amateur, and missed qualifying for the US Amateur by just one shot. 


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