Curtis Strange Leads U.S. Into Semifinals of Dunhill Cup Tourney

Curtis Strange led the United States to a 3-0 sweep over Argentina today as the Americans moved into the semifinals of the Dunhill Cup golf tournament.

“It may have looked easy, but it wasn’t,” Strange, a two-time U.S. Open champion, said. “It was deceptive.

“We pulled away at the end, but Mark (Calcavecchia) had all he could handle until midway through the back nine and I had a good match with Eduardo (Romero).”

6-Foot Birdie Putt

Strange, who had a 67 in Thursday’s opening round on the par-72 Old Course at St. Andrews, broke out of a tie with Romero when the American holed a 6-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole.

He went on to a 68-70 victory over Romero in the medal-match play format.

Calcavecchia, the British Open champion, beat Miguel Fernandez 72-77. Fernandez was within one stroke after 10 holes but fell back with a 40 on the final nine.

Tom Kite ground out a solid 70 and never trailed against Vicente Fernandez, who matched par 72 in the mild, sunny weather and gentle breezes.

The United States, the top-seeded team, will play Ireland in Saturday’s semifinals.

“Ireland is playing well, and they’re riding a high,” Kite said. “Ronan (Rafferty) and Christy (O’Connor Jr.) are coming off a good Ryder Cup (last week). Both are playing well. They could be tough to handle.”

Ireland, the No. 5 seed, advanced with a 3-0 victory over Sweden.

Rafferty scored a 10-stroke victory over Ove Sellberg, Philip Walton beat Mats Lanner 72-74 and the veteran O’Connor defeated Mangus Persson 73-76.

Japan defeated France 3-0 in another quarterfinal match today and will play the winner of the Scotland-England match in the semifinals.

Upset-Filled Opener

Although Calcavecchia was upset by Park Nam Shin, the United States beat South Korea 2-1 in an upset-filled opening round Thursday.

The major form reversal was the 2-1 defeat France handed second-seeded Australia. Marc Pendaries provided the heroics, holing a 98-yard wedge shot for an eagle-2 in a 71-73 defeat of Greg Norman.

In other opening round upsets, Argentina eliminated Wales 2 1/2-1 1/2 and Sweden beat Spain 2-1.