Currie warns hosts to be at their very best

06/09/2017

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Christopher Currie believes each of his Great Britain & Ireland team mates will need to be at the very top of their game if they are to spring another PGA Cup surprise and claim back-to-back wins over America for the first time in 24 years.

Great Britain & Ireland have only beaten America six times out of 27 meetings in the historic competition, which dates back to 1973.

Last year Jon Bevan lead the team to a first ever win on American soil and although that victory will buoy the team at Foxhills, Currie knows the home team are in for a very difficult challenge.

“The American team are no mugs,” said Currie, who finished runner-up at the PGA Professional Championship to earn his place at Foxhills.

“Every single one of them has had a good playing career and played in a lot of high profile events, a lot of major events and USPGAs, so these guys have played golf at a very high level.

“These guys are there for us to knock down in front of us. That’s who is in front of us, it’s as simple as that.

“I’ll give them the upmost respect but it’s like Seve (Ballesteros) used to say, I’ll look into their eyes, shake their hand, pat their back and wish them luck, but I am thinking, ‘I am going to bury you’.

“In a polite way for me it’s that kind of thing. It will be a great week. I’m thoroughly looking forward to rubbing shoulders with them but I’m confident if we play to our ability we can win.”

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Currie is the youngest member of the Great Britain & Ireland team at 34 and is one of eight debutants in Albert MacKenzie’s side.

Despite his inexperience, the Caldwell Golf Club Professional is determined to make the most of his opportunity and believes a strong team spirit is key to home success.

“We’re all on the same team pushing towards one goal so it’s different scenario for us. We’re used to our normal tournament play and I think the guys will bond as well as we can together and try to fight for the end result. I think it’s important that everybody is pushing in the right direction.

“We’ve got a really experienced side. I’m 35 and I’ve been playing for a while now and I’m the most inexperienced one, so that gives me a lot of hope for the guys who are on the side and how much experience they’ve got in this game. I can’t wait to get going and I’m bursting with excitement to get going.”

A team bonding session towards the end of July at Foxhills Resort gave Currie a chance to get acquainted with his new team mates. It was also a chance for the young Scottish player to check out Longcross Course for himself.

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Now with under two weeks to go until the event, Currie is hoping he will find some form but knows playing for his country will raise his game.

He added: “Once you get that adrenaline then you’ll find you get an extra 10 maybe 20 per cent extra from somewhere. It will take care of itself and I can’t wait to get started but there’s been no fireworks, it’s just been solid.

“It really is huge and it’s going to be an honour to stand alongside those other guys and represent the British and Irish PGA.

“There are a few guys in our region who have played in the event and they talk highly of it so I’m thrilled to be part of the team.

“For a PGA pro it’s the pinnacle. If you’re not a tour player or at that sort of standard that’s where you want to go with your game, to play in the PGA in your region and to play in this type of event and represent your country.”

For more information about the PGA Cup and to follow all the action and live scoring from Foxhills from September 15-17 click here.

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