Team England holds a narrow 4.5 – 3.5 lead after a high-octane morning of Fourballs at the Reignwood Icons of Football.
Robbie Fowler and Paul Ince gave England a dream start, securing double points with a clinical 4 Up victory over Ryan Giggs and Henrik Larsson. However, Team World fought back through John Arne Riise and Gianfranco Zola, who ground out a vital win over Phil Jagielka and Jermaine Jenas to get Thomas Bjørn’s side on the board.
The session was defined by moments of individual magic. Dwight Yorke stunned the gallery with a once in a lifetime shot – holing out from deep in the bushes, while Nigel de Jong produced a spectacular bunker shot that found the bottom of the cup.
In the heavyweight clash of the morning, Gareth Bale and Gabriel Batistuta were formidable, trading birdies throughout the round. A clutch birdie putt from Bale on the final green sealed a 2 Up win over John Terry and Teddy Sheringham. Meanwhile, the clash between Bullard & Sharpe and Shevchenko & Yorke ended in a hard-fought tie after a barrage of birdies from both sides.
England enters the afternoon Greensomes with a one-point cushion, but with Team World finding their rhythm, the battle for the Icons Trophy is wide open.
