USA comeback to win Walker Cup as they dominate Sunday singles
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The United States retained the Walker Cup with a 15.5 – 10.5 victory at Hoylake over Great Britain and Ireland
The U.S Walker Cup team came from behind with a dominant display in the singles at Royal Liverpool as the won for the first time in 12 years on foreign soil.
The United States, who trailed by two after Saturday’s four fourball and eight singles matches, won two of Sunday’s fourball matches and eight of the 10 singles matches to beat the GB&I side by 15.5 points to 10.5 – earning them the most decisive winning margin for a visiting USA team since a 16 ½ – 7 ½ victory in 1987 at Sunningdale.
Cole Hammer produced the best result of the day as he beat Ireland’s Connor Purcell 6&5, and just a couple of groups later John Augenstein clinched the crucial point with a 4&3 victory over Thomas Plumb.
“I did not know that my match this afternoon was the clinching point,” said Augenstein. “I mean, it really doesn’t matter who clinches it. The fact is that we’re a team and we won the Walker Cup for each other and for the United States.”
Scotland’s Sandy Scott, who defeated Brandon Wu 4&3, and Tom Sloman, who won his match against Steven Fisk two-up, were the only players to win their singles matches on Sunday.
“I honestly thought that these guys would let their talent come to the surface,” said U.S. captain Nathaniel Crosby.
“I liked the idea that the wind was laying down a little bit this afternoon, but these guys have been over here for seven or eight days. The singles were amazing. The guys played great.”
“Obviously the boys are disappointed,” said GB&I captain Craig Watson. “It didn’t go quite to plan but they can be proud of their achievements to get in the team first of all and of their performance this weekend. I’m proud of all of them.”
The U.S. improved to 37-9-1 overall in the Walker Cup.
The 48th Walker Cup Match will be held May 8-9 at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida.
