McGrane has a PGA Cup score to settle

10/09/2017

Damien Mcgrane Web

Damien McGrane is one of only two players in the Great Britain & Ireland team set to make a second PGA Cup appearance when America visit Foxhills Resort, Surrey, later this month, and this time revenge is on the menu.

The Irishman was part of David Llewellyn’s team that lost to the Americans by just one point at Celtic Manor in Wales back in 2000.

McGrane, 46, won two of his four matches as the hosts lost 13½ - 12½ on the final day, and he admits the narrow defeat was hard to accept.

“It was a great win for them but for us it was very disappointing because it was so achievable at that time,” said McGrane. “Our USA counterparts won that time around but it was certainly there for us for the taking.

“It was disappointing because half-way through the final day I remember it being very evenly matched and needless to say our side didn’t produce enough to win the match.

“I was a confident player and I had confidence in my own ability. I found it to be tough, very competitive and all of the matches were played in the right spirit. It was something I look back on with great memories and the week was very enjoyable.

“It was my first time so obviously the thrill of the whole week was fantastic and David Llewellyn was a super captain and Celtic Manor was a fantastic venue, so I have very fond memories of playing in my first PGA Cup.”

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McGrane went on to become a regular on the European Tour for 12 consecutive years and won his maiden title at the China Open in 2000, while also finishing as a runner-up on three occasions.

And although he enters this year’s PGA Cup in a different frame of mind at the other end of his career, there is still more than enough fire in his belly to banish the memory of 16 years ago.

“Back then I was hungry and I wanted to play golf, whereas now all of a sudden I find myself on the other side of the spectrum where I don’t have much ambition in the game anymore, whereas back then I had it all to prove.

“It was certainly a different mindset back then but I’m still very competitive and my golf game is very good so I’m happy with what I’ve got.

“I’ve been on the Tour full-time since 2003 so invariably I know most of the players in the team and I would have met them on the golf course many, many times. It makes up for a strong and competitive team and hopefully with a bit of luck we’ll have enough to win the trophy.

“I hope I can be part of a winning team this time around, none of us are going there to finish second and we’d love to do it. The team spirit is good which is very important and Foxhills is a beautiful venue.

“We certainly have all of the factors that will be needed to win the matches, but on the day it’s a different matter. This year there will be no stone left unturned.”

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The County Meath man provides a wealth of experience to the 10-man team having won the PGA in Ireland Order of Merit on no fewer than four occasions, his most recent success coming last year.

McGrane is joined by compatriot David Higgins at Foxhills Resort for the event which runs from September 15-17.

And he hopes they both will enjoy success in the foursomes and fourballs if selected together.

“I played on the Irish amateur team with David Higgins many years ago and David and I are very competitive in the Irish region, we’ve had many head-to-heads here in Ireland.

“David is playing well and I am playing reasonably well and I think, if we get the chance to play together, we will be a very strong combination.”

“I know David very well, he’s a super player and if there was an opportunity to partner with him I would cherish that.”

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

GB I PGA Cup Team 002 Web