Teenagers’ aim to retain cup in US golf contest

English teenagers Lily May Humphreys and Annabell Fuller have been named in the Great Britain and Ireland team which will attempt to retain golf’s Curtis Cup.

Humphreys, 16, and 15-year-old Fuller are part of an eight-strong team for the contest at Quaker Ridge in New York from June 8-10.

Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey and England’s Alice Hewson will make their second appearances for GB&I after featuring in the winning side at Dun Laoghaire in 2016, and are joined by India Clyburn, Sophie Lamb, Paula Grant and 18-year-old Scot Shannon Mcwilliam.

Elaine Farquharson-black, who will captain GB&I for the second time, said: “There have been a number of players throughout Great Britain and Ireland who have been in impressive form recently and it was a difficult decision to select only eight.

“The players selected will now have a wonderful opportunity to perform on the international stage in one of the world’s most prestigious events and I’m sure that they will give their very best as we attempt to retain the trophy against a talented team from the United States.”

Ireland’s Leona Maguire, second in the women’s world amateur rankings, ruled herself out of contention by choosing to turn professional, while England’s Isobel Wardle has decided to focus on undertaking her school exams.