Fassi and Ortiz win, Team USA establishes lead

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — University of Arkansas All-Americans Maria Fassi and Alvaro Ortiz picked up a win for the International Team, but Team USA leads after opening round mixed four-ball match play at the Arnold Palmer Cup on Friday.

Fassi and Ortiz were paired in Match 12 on the first day of play at Evian Resort Golf Club. They picked up a 2&1 win over their Team USA counterparts after Fassi eagled the ninth hole breaking an all square tie. The duo won the 10th hole as well and never trailed on the second half of the golf course.

“A win is always great, and I think it’s just sweeter when you come from behind,” Fassi said. “It was an amazing journey for 17 holes, and it was nice to get the point for our team.”

“It’s awesome to share the course with her (Fassi),” Ortiz said. “We’ve been friends for a long time both from Mexico and from the University of Arkansas. It was a very fun day. They (Team USA) got out to a hot start, and it was nice to make a comeback and get the point.”

Razorback Dylan Kim paired with Zach Bauchou, dropping their match 4&3 to Thailand’s K.K. Linbhasut and Pimnipa Panthong. Team USA trailed from the first green before falling in 15 holes.

Recently graduated Razorback Alana Uriell teamed with Sahith Teegala and they dropped their match 3&2 to Lorenzo Scalise and Jiwon Jeon. The International Team grabbed the lead on the first hole and never trailed in the match.

Team USA is up 8-4 after play was interrupted for two hours due to weather. When play resumed, Chandler Phillips and Lilia Vu started the Team USA charge with a 6&4 victory. The Internationals would move the score to 5-2 with a 3&2 Jeon and Scalise victory and a 4&3 triumph by Limbhasut and Panthong. The two sides split the next four matches before the USA’s Braden Thornberry clinched the final match with birdie on No. 18 and move the American lead to 8-4.

Two rounds of competition will be held today with mixed foursomes teeing off at 7:30 a.m. and four-ball at 1:30 p.m. Both rounds will commence off tees No. 1 and 10. Kim and Uriell change playing partners for the mixed foursomes matches while Fassi and Ortiz remain paired. Teams again change up for the afternoon four-ball pairings.