PGA Tournaments' News

Veteran Paul Wesselingh and rookie James Whatley will lead the charge as Great Britain & Ireland embark on their defence of the Llandudno Trophy in the 23rd PGA Cup Matches against America today.

Captain Gary Alliss has plumped for a mixture of experience and youthful power to kick-start the GB&I challenge against Mike Small and Alan Schulte at the Oconee Course in Reynolds Plantation, Georgia.

Whatley (East Midlands Golf Academy, Morley Hayes) at 24 is the youngest member of the GB&I team, while Wesselingh, 45, is making his fifth successive appearance in the biennial contest.

But despite his rookie status, Whatley admits he is relishing the prospect of leading GB&I's bid for an historic first win on US soil.

"I can't wait to be honest, bring it on, I'm really excited about it and really chuffed to be out first," he said.

"The last time I played matchplay was for the Derbyshire's county team and I used to love leading off there so I'm ready for it."

"It's great knowing that Paul is there for me," he added.

"You know he is never going to make mistakes, which allows me to go out there and play my own game which is to make a lot of birdies. We gel really well together.

"I'm nervous but then if you've got no nerves you're not human, it's just channeling them in the right direction."

Glenmuir Club Professional Champion John Dwyer (Ashbourne) and Danny Taylor (Swingers Driving Range) go out in the second match against Ryan Benzel and Don Yrene and Alliss believes Dwyer is a perfect foil for Taylor.

"John's one of our strongest players and will be a calming influence on Danny which will allow him to play," said GB&I's skipper.

Third out are Craig Goodfellow (Carlisle Driving Range) and Michael Nesbit (Westerhope Golf Club) who come up against Chip Sullivan and Ron Philo Jnr.

"They're like the Faldo and Woosie partnership - they just complement each really well," explained Alliss.

The final pairing pits Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) and Duncan Muscroft (Montecchia Golf Club) against US stalwarts Tim Thelen and Lee Rinker who finished second to Tiger Woods in the 1997 Byron Nelson Classic. Muscroft, 43, - a huge admirer of Rinker - admitted he was nervous but delighted to be playing with Bevan.

"He's one of the best putters I've seen and hopefully that will rub off on me," said Muscroft. "America has some great players but they are going to be nervous too and it's whoever handles the situation the best. It's important not to panic if we don't get early points."

Bevan added: "I'm playing with a great guy who's playing well. Mentally Duncan and I are very much alike and I think we can bring the best out of each other."

Alliss announced the pairings at the opening ceremony but admitted the surfeit of riches at his disposal had left him with the difficult decision of leaving out George Ryall (The Players Club) and Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range).

"The hardest thing was I've got 10 guys ripping it and had to leave two out who are playing fantastic," he said.

"It's very difficult for someone to go round in six or seven under and be told you are not playing but I wanted to get a couple of the more inexperienced players out first. I know Andrew and George can handle sitting out the morning and won't get too tense or nervous at the wait.

"They will play first or second in the afternoon foursomes although not necessarily together and have got a massive part to play if we are to retain the Llandudno Trophy."

GB&I won the Llandudno Trophy for the first time in 21 years at The K Club in 2005 and are hoping to become the first team to triumph on American soil come Sunday afternoon.