Dixon primed for US challenge

David Dixon will carve out another career highlight on an already impressive golf CV when he tees up for Great Britain & Ireland in the PGA Cup against the United States in California.

The Enmore Park Golf Club pro has tasted success as a European Tour winner and during his amateur career when he picked up the silver medal as leading amateur in the 2001 Open Championship.

But his efforts are now focused on trying to end America’s grip on the PGA Cup which hasn’t seen them lose the biennial contest on home soil since the event’s inception in 1973.

The Somerset golfer is part of Jon Bevan’s ten-man team that will take on their transatlantic rivals at CordeValle Golf Club from September 18-20 in a Ryder Cup style format of foursomes, fourballs and singles.

Dixon heads out to America in good form having chalked up a share of 34^th place in the recent Czech Masters and is eager to hook up with his team-mates.

“I’m excited, I’ve done a lot of things in golf and this is something new and should be a lot of fun,” said the 38 year old.

“The fact America start as strong favourites doesn’t really matter. We have got a good team. They probably think they are going to walk away with it but we’ve gelled as a team, and I’m a firm believer that a strong team spirit will be key.”

The Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed CordeValle is a typical US style course with plenty of risk-reward holes which Dixon believes will suit his game.

“American courses encourage aggressive play and I’m an aggressive golfer by nature and I don’t mind taking it on – in for a penny in for a pound so to speak,” he added.

Dixon is of a strong south west contingent in the GB&I team with Dorset’s Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge) also playing.