Internationals Secure First Bridges Cup Title at Trump Turnberry
The European-led squad defeated the United States 20-12 in Scotland, ending the Americans' three-year winning streak in the premier mid-amateur event.
Historic Win for International Team
The International team clinched their inaugural Bridges Cup title on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, overcoming the United States squad with a decisive 20-12 victory at Trump Turnberry in Scotland.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for the International side, as it breaks the U.S.'s previous dominance in the mid-amateur match-play competition, where the Americans had won all three prior editions.
Under the leadership of Captain Simon Holt, the International team established an early advantage and maintained their strong performance throughout the three-day event, held across Trump Turnberry's King Robert The Bruce and Ailsa courses.
Match Progression and Lead Extension
The tournament began on Monday at the challenging King Robert The Bruce course, where the Internationals quickly asserted control, concluding Day 1 with a 6.5-3.5 lead. The momentum continued to favour the International team as play moved to the renowned Ailsa Course on Tuesday.
They further extended their advantage by securing both the morning fourball and afternoon foursomes sessions with identical 3 and 2 victories. This left the American team, captained by Jeff Fujimoto, facing a substantial 12.5-7.5 deficit heading into Wednesday's final day of 12 singles matches, necessitating a considerable comeback effort.
Singles Matches Seal the Victory
Despite an early surge from the American players during Wednesday's singles matches on the Ailsa Course, the International squad held firm. They secured the first four singles points, effectively diminishing any hopes of a U.S. resurgence.
The decisive moment arrived when James Bull made a bogey on the 18th hole, allowing Dennis White to win his match and secure the critical point that clinched the Bridges Cup for the Internationals.
Other notable International wins included Daniel Faccini closing his match 4 and 3 against Drew Kittleson, and Jonathan Bale winning 1 up after a tightly contested battle with John Peterson.
Trump Turnberry Hosts and Future Event in Asia
Trump Turnberry, particularly the Ailsa Course, provided the setting for this historic victory. The Ailsa Course, recognised as the 18th-ranked course globally by GOLF, underwent a significant renovation in 2025, a project overseen by the Trump Organization and architect Martin Ebert, which further enhanced its facilities.
Looking ahead, the fifth edition of the Bridges Cup is scheduled for 2027 and will be hosted in Asia, at Nine Bridges in South Korea. This upcoming event provides the Internationals with an opportunity to defend their newly acquired title on a different continent, bringing the mid-amateur competition to an Asian audience.
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