Thomas Bjorn of Denmark and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland were the best tandem on the course Thursday as they helped Team Europe open up a lead at the Skechers World Champions Cup at Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater, Fla.
Team Europe scored 57 points over two sessions on Day 1 of the event, while the United States and International teams ended the day tied at 52.5. Bjorn and Clarke were responsible for 21 points across the sessions, while Germany’s Alex Cejka and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen teamed up to score Europe another 20.
The unique three-way team competition pits PGA Tour Champions players and benefits the Shriners Children’s hospital network. It debuted in 2023 and was canceled last year due to hurricane damage in Florida.
Three points are awarded on every hole over the course of nine-hole matches. Thursday and Friday feature a “six-ball” (best ball) session and a Scotch sixsome (modified alternate shot). After a day off Saturday, all players will participate in singles on Sunday.
The team or player with the lowest score on a given hole scores two points for his team, the second-best score garners one point and the highest score receives zero points. Points are split one apiece whenever each team/player finishes with the same score. Points can also be split if two teams/players tie for the best score or the worst score on a given hole.
Jim Furyk captains the American team, Clarke captains the European roster and Canada’s Mike Weir captains the International roster.
On Thursday, Bjorn and Clarke fared well in six-ball, birdieing four holes in a row at one point, but they really shined in the sixsome, making five straight birdies to begin that session. They always tied one of the other teams (or both) for the best score, scoring at least one point at each hole.
Despite alternate shot being considered the more difficult of the two formats, Bjorn and Clarke nearly played nine holes in 29, settling instead for a 30.
“We got off flying,” Bjorn said. “We were flying, hitting good shots. Hitting to the middle of the fairway a long way down there for us. It was just — it was a nice afternoon. Getting just downwind with the driver this afternoon was a lot.”
They were paired up against Stewart Cink and Jason Caron (U.S.) and Weir and New Zealand’s Steven Alker (International).
Kjeldsen subbed in for German legend Bernhard Langer, who sat out with an illness but may return later in the tournament.
“Bernhard has indicated to me that he wants to play (Friday) afternoon,” Clarke said. “He’s not 100%, but the competitor in him — like you said, he’s Iron Man. He wants to play and wants to be part of the team.”
The other European players are Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez.
