Sometimes you learn more in defeat than victory. Josh Hill will be hoping that saying rings true after the Dubai-based prodigy fell to defeat alongside his Great Britain & Ireland teammates in the prestigious Jacques Leglise Trophy over the weekend.
The annual Ryder Cup-style amateur boys’ team golf competition between Great Britain & Ireland and the Continent of Europe made a welcome return to the schedule for the first time since 2019 after last year’s edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hill’s encouraging summer campaign was rewarded with selection for the event but it was a difficult couple of days for the youngster in Sweden.
It started with two defeats on the opening day at the hands of German’s Yannick Malik, who got the better of Hill in both the foursomes and singles.
Hill and compatriot Jack Bigham were edged 2&1 by Europe’s Tiger Christensen and Malik in the opening round of fixtures before Malik repeated the scoreline in his singles showdown with Hill to help give the European team to a one-point lead heading into the final day.
After a good night’s sleep, Hill returned for the Saturday foursomes alongside Bingham with the duo securing a half point after a hard-fought battle with Christensen and Malik once again.
It was the only score Great Britain and Ireland managed to muster from the foursomes as the European team dominated the session to collect 3.5 points from four.
The European’s continued their fine display in the final singles session with six of the nine matches all going their way, including Oihan Guillamoundeguy’s 1UP triumph over Hill, which gave the Continent of Europe an unassailable lead.
The contest ended 16.5-8.5 at Falsterbo Golf Club to leave Europe with four wins from the last five editions.
Hill now turns his attentions to next month’s Home Internationals after being called up for the full England national men’s amateur golf team for the first time.
The MENA Tour star has been selected for England’s defence of the senior title at Hankley Common Golf Club after an impressive display at the U-18 Boy’s Home Internationals. The 17-year-old picked up 5.5 of a possible six points at Woodhall Spa earlier this month to help England triumph.
