Great Britain & Ireland retain Seve Trophy

PARIS, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The Great Britain and Ireland team held off Continental Europe and secured its sixth consecutive victory in the Seve Trophy competition Sunday in Paris.

GB&I, which has won the event each year since Continental Europe took the first in 2000, took three late singles matches Sunday to win the event 15 1/2-12 1/2.

GB&I build a five-point lead through the first three days of completion but wins in singles matches by Thomas Bjorn, Andres Hansen, Francesco, Molinari, Alexander Noren and Miguel Angel Jimenez pulled Continental Europe close.

However, GB&I's Davis Horsey birdied 15 and 17 to pulled out an important halve over Nicolas Colsaerts and Scott Jamison, Ian Poulter and Mark Forster all won 1-up with Poulter's point giving GB&I 14 and enough to retain the trophy.

Ross Fisher and Continental Europe's Peter Hanson halved the final match.

Jamieson built a 4-hole lead in his match with Pablo Larrazabal, who charged back with three win over Nos. 11-14. Jamison won the 15th hole and needed it when Larrazabal took the 17th. Pars by both golfers at 18 gave the point to Jamieson.

Poulter was down 1 after seven holes and he and Matteo Manassero tied each of the next eight holes. A birdie 2 for Poulter on the par-3 16th pulled the match square and Poulter won with a birdie at 18.