JASON Levermore arrived in San Francisco laid low by a suspected bout of food poisoning but left walking tall after helping Great Britain & Ireland’s PGA Cup team win on American soil for the first time.

The former Clacton professional, now Channels Golf Club head PGA pro, was taken ill on the flight over to America and was helped off the plane by paramedics.

But the 36-year-old showed no ill effects as he recovered to be a pivotal member of Jon Bevan’s team, emerging unbeaten in five sessions of foursomes, fourballs and singles at CordeValle Golf Club, California. His contribution of four (three wins and two halves in the foursomes) included a vital point in a dramatic final day singles that helped GB&I take the match 13.5-12.5.

An enthralling Sunday singles session went right down to the final hole of the five sessions before Royal Dublin’s Niall Kearney coolly drained an eight foot putt on the par five 18th to spark jubilant scenes.

Levermore, who forged a formidable pairing with West Linton’s Gareth Wright, recovered from three down after 10 in his match against Jamie Broce – birdieing the par three 16th with a 20 footer and holing out for an eight foot birdie on the last to win one up.

“I’ve had some good results in my career to date but that’s by far the most nervous I’ve been coming down the stretch,” said Levermore.

“When you have nine team- mates depending on you, it puts more pressure on but that makes it all the more rewarding.

“I saw the scoreboard after five holes and there was a lot of red but we dug deep and turned it around.”