THORNTON SELECTED FOR PGA CUP AT THE K CLUB
Irish PGA Champion Simon Thornton has been selected on the 10-man team to compete in the PGA Cup at The K Club in October (Photo: Harry Thompson)
By Paul Gallagher
Irish PGA champion Simon Thornton has been named in the 10-man Great Britain & Ireland team to take on the United States in the 32nd PGA Cup, taking place at The K Club this October. He is the only professional from the PGA Irish Region on the team.
The Newcastle native has been on a great of form this season on the Irish PGA circuit and was named on the home team as a captain’s pick by David Scott. It will be the second time the former European Tour winner competes in the prestigious PGA Cup after playing in 2022. He missed the 2024 edition in the States because it clashed with a chance to compete in the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
“I’m delighted to be selected for the PGA Cup again, especially when it is here in Ireland at the K Club,” said Thornton. “It is already a special year for me as Captain of the PGA Irish Region and enjoying a good season that included another Irish PGA Championship win.”
“I’m really looking forward to the PGA Cup in October. It’s a special week, not just for me as a player, but for all the family. I love team golf, having had a taste for it when I played on the GB&I team in 2022.
The first five places on the GB&I team were determined through the PGA Professional Championship, with qualification based on performances across the 2025 and 2026 championships. Ashley Mansell, Harry Casey, Toby Hunt, Ben Amor and Gavin Hay secured automatic qualification by finishing among the leading players in the two-year standings.
Mansell strengthened his claim with victory in the 2026 Championship, having finished tied second in 2025, while Casey followed his 2025 title with a fourth place finish this year. Hunt, Amor and Hay all produced consistently strong performances across the two championships to earn their places in the team.
The sixth automatic spot is awarded through the Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series, which combines players' performances across the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
These standings form the basis of PGA Cup qualification and going into the final Open Series tournament, only James Freeman and Matthew Ford can mathematically finish top of those standings and claim the automatic place. As a result, Scott has confirmed that no matter which of the two players secures that spot, the other will occupy a captain’s pick, meaning both are assured a place in the team.
Graeme Robertson, Gareth Davies and Thornton were all chosen as the final three captain’s picks, completing the team that will compete in County Kildare, Ireland, from October 2-4.
“Selecting a PGA Cup team is never a straightforward task given the depth of talent we have within The PGA, but I believe the team we’ve assembled combines proven winners with players who have demonstrated their quality consistently over the last two years,” said Scott.
“Representing GB&I in the PGA Cup is a tremendous honour and I know every player will represent the Association with pride. Our American counterparts always offer a challenge, we know that, but we have a group that is more than capable of bringing the trophy home.”
The PGA Cup was first played in 1973 as a biennial contest between PGA Professionals from the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and the PGA of America, with teams of 10 competing in foursomes, fourballs and singles matches in a similar format to the Ryder Cup. In 2024, the United States ran out 17.5 – 8.5 winners at Sunriver Resort in Oregon.
The K Club will make PGA Cup history this year as the first venue in Great Britain & Ireland to host the match on three occasions. As GB&I return to County Kildare, they will be looking to recreate the memorable 2005 triumph at the venue and reclaim the Llandudno International Trophy on home soil.
Richard Barker PGA, Executive Director - Business Development added: “Congratulations to all 10 players who have earned the right to represent their Association in the 2026 PGA Cup.
"Qualification for this team requires a sustained period of consistency and every player should be proud of what they have achieved.
"This team draws on talent from right across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, competing together at The K Club, a venue with a rich PGA Cup history. David Scott has assembled a team with real depth and quality, giving us every reason to be confident heading into October.
The 2026 GB&I PGA Cup team:
Ashley Mansell (Clevedon Golf Club) – PGA in England & Wales (West)
Harry Casey (The Shire London) – PGA in England & Wales (East)
Toby Hunt (Whitchurch Golf Club) – PGA in England & Wales (West)
Ben Amor (Ogbourne Downs Golf Club) – PGA in England & Wales (West)
Gavin Hay (East Renfrewshire Golf Club) – PGA in Scotland
James Freeman (Rotherham Golf Club) – PGA in England & Wales (North)
Matthew Ford (GolfGearDirect) – PGA in England & Wales (South)
Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie Golf Club) – PGA in Scotland
Gareth Davies (Abbeydale Golf Club) – PGA in England & Wales (North)
Simon Thornton (STGolf) – PGA in Ireland
David Scott (Captain)
Pics: The PGA Cup, Simon with the Irish PGA Trophy, Simon with his some Ryan after winning the 2025 Irish PGA Championship
