Hutcheon outlines ‘brilliant’ mood in home camp

12/09/2017

Hutcheon Practice Web

Greig Hutcheon has given an insight into the great camaraderie within the Great Britain and Ireland team at the start of PGA Cup week at Foxhills Club and Resort.

The Scotsman, 44, is a very experienced member of Albert MacKenzie’s 10-man team, having played on the European Tour as well as competed in the 2013 PGA Cup at Slaley Hall.

Hutcheon and his nine fellow team-mates arrived at the immaculate Surrey venue yesterday where they enjoyed nine holes of golf and a little bit of team-bonding. Asked to reveal the mood in the camp, he initially replied with a single word: “Brilliant!”

Hutcheon added: “We all met up had a wonderful get-together. Albert had some little gifts for all the team members. A lot of the presents were funny and we were all laughing. There was a good camaraderie going.

“We played yesterday for a little of our own money. It was supposed to be a game for a friendly tenner but it was not. There was a bit of fist-pumping –so we’re getting a little bit of the game-face going already.”

Hutcheon knows that the competitive spirit will need to be flowing when GB & I tackle their US opposition who are practising for the first time today. He was part of Russell Weir’s side that drew 13-13 four years ago.

Hutcheon said: “They’ll be a team that we have to show a lot of respect to. I certainly found that out when I played the match in 2013. I wasn’t too sure about what sort of standard to expect and I only won two and lost three. Hopefully, at worst, I can flip that result around this year.”

As one of only two team member s (Damien McGrane is the other) who has played in the PGA Cup before, Hutcheon knows exactly what the atmosphere surrounding the matches will be like

He explained: “On match-day, you’re representing your country so there’s a few butterflies. It’s very similar to playing in a big Tour event – like the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

“It does definitely get the juices flowing. There’s a lot of tension there – because you want to do so well.

“Sometimes, you just have to take a step back, have a calm mind. Try and hit the middle of the fairway will be the plan.

“But once the match gets going it’s so enjoyable. You’re part of a team and working for each other.”

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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