Smith Earns Two More Palmer Cup Wins

Nebraska women’s golfer Kate Smith captured two more victories to improve to 3-0 and help earn three big points for Team USA at the 25th annual Arnold Palmer Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois, Saturday.

Smith, the 2021 Big Ten Champion from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, joined U.S. teammate Lauren Hartlage for a 3&2 win over Team International’s Agathe Laisne and Ana Pelaez Trivino in Saturday morning’s Mixed Foursome competition.

Smith, a 2021 WGCA and Golfweek All-American, was joined by the three-time All-American Hartlage from the University of Louisville in notching a key win for the U.S. squad. Team International’s Laisne (France) was a 2019 first-team All-American and Big 12 Champion at Texas, while Pelaez Trivino (Spain) was a two-time All-American at South Carolina.

The victory by Smith and Hartlage helped Team USA pull within one point (12.5-11.5) heading into Saturday afternoon’s second round of Mixed Foursome play at the Arnold Palmer Cup. Team International gained momentum with four consecutive victories in Match 19 through Match 22 to take a 12.5-9.5 lead, before Pierceson Coody (Texas) and William Moll (Vanderbilt) teamed for a 2&1 victory in Match 23. Smith and Hartlage then finished out the crucial final match of the morning to help Team USA build momentum heading into the afternoon foursomes.

Team USA gained a measure of control heading into Sunday’s singles competition by winning nine of the 12 matches in the afternoon foursomes, including a dominant 5&4 win for Smith and Brad Reeves, the 2021 Pac-12 Champion at Arizona, in Match 30. It was one of three 5&4 victories for Team USA in the afternoon foursomes

Smith and Reeves rolled to victory in just 14 holes over Virunpat Olinkitkunchai (Thailand), who was a 2021 All-American and two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at Maryland, and her teammate Puwit Anupansuebsai (Thailand). Anupansuebsai was a two-time All-American and the 2020 Mountain West Conference Champion at San Diego State.

Team USA earned an 8-5-3.5 edge in the afternoon mixed foursomes to take a 20-16 overall lead. A total of 24 points will be up for grabs in 24 singles matches at the Arnold Palmer Cup in Sunday’s final round of competition. The United States owns a 12-11-1 all-time edge in the history of the Arnold Palmer Cup.