Great Britain and Ireland bring an end to American domination with Walker Cup victory
After losing all of the major titles in a matter of barely two years, Americans have now lost the coveted amateur Walker Cup to the arch enemies Great Britain and Ireland. The final round took place on Sunday, September 11, where the strong American team
was outshined by the comparatively less experienced Britain and Ireland team, the latter overpowering the American team by 14-12.
Winning captain Nigel Edwards led the team from the front with a traditional start up sermon with words that reverberated throughout the showdown, “It's not played on paper.”
Welshman Rhys Pugh was the youngest on the team aged only 17 and took the better of the world number three Patrick Rodgers on the amateur rankings and later defeated Kelly Kraft.
“I'm proud of all the boys,” Edwards said. “They've all played their part in beating what is a very good American team.”
Starting off the day with an overnight lead of 7-5, the European team forged their way ahead with an even better performance on the final day to stay clear of the foes by five shots. Had it not been for Tom Lewis and Michael Stewart, the Englishmen would
have posted a whitewash against an otherwise much experienced American team. American team members Patrick Cantlay had already posted a 60 on the PGA Tour and Harris English had already won a Nationwide Tour title in their amateur careers.
Lewis, who surged to stardom with his lowest opening round in the Open Championship, had a disappointing run in the event and lost both of his matches.
Played at the scenic Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, the match remained one-sided during most part of its course and Englishman Steven Brown, the English Amateur champion, pulled in the final 1-up victory against Russell Henley on the 43rd Walker Cup
event.
Brown said, “It’s unbelievable, I’m just so happy. I didn’t know it was coming down to me. I tried not to look because I didn’t want it to make any difference but it’s just great that we won. We were all happy that we got picked but we all wanted to be on
a winning Walker Cup team. To win is just unbelievable.”
Stewart started the damage earlier in the day when he overtook Rodgers for a 3 & 2 followed by Lancashire’s Jack Senior defeating Nathan Smith with a 35-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
Senior stirred up a controversy on the opening day when the American team raised the objection that the player should not be accompanied by a caddie who happens to be a professional golfer. Senior had his brother carrying his bag who is also a professional
player. The controversy, however, subsided later with the American team accepted the mediation.
With the current victory, Great Britain and Ireland broke a three-year long deadlock where the Americans won all the last three events.
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