Singles slip-up so costly as Ireland bow out

Ireland suffered an inexplicable singles collapse at Silkeborg in Denmark yesterday to crash out of contention for the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship.

Having qualified for the quarter-finals five places and 16 strokes ahead of their opponents Netherlands, the Irish, who last lifted the title five years ago, looked likely to move into the last four. And when they won both morning foursomes an Irish success appeared to be virtually a banker.

For most of the afternoon Irish eyes were smiling, but, late on, there was a dramatic about-turn in fortunes and their chances of glory were gone in a shock 4-3 defeat. Kevin Phelan, who played all four rounds in the US Open last month and battled with Jack Hume for a foursomes triumph, was in front for most of the way against Robbie van West. But, having been pegged back to level at the 15th, he then lost the 16th and 17th and the match.