GB&I Eyes First Walker Cup Win Over USA Since 2015
Great Britain and Ireland's amateur golf team is hoping wild Irish winds will help them beat the United States this weekend for the first time in a decade. Their top player just returned from injury while three American golfers battled a stomach bug days before the match.
The wind whipping across Ireland's west coast might be exactly what Great Britain and Ireland's golf team needs to pull off an upset.
This weekend at Lahinch, the home side will face America's top amateur golfers in the Walker Cup, a prestigious match they haven't won since 2015. Team captain Dean Robertson couldn't be happier about the blustery forecast.
"I'm very happy about it," Robertson said with a smile as practice wrapped up Thursday. The strong winds are expected throughout Saturday and Sunday's competition, and the GB&I team grew up playing in exactly these conditions.
The home side got a huge boost when Tyler Weaver, the world's third-ranked amateur golfer, declared himself fit to compete. Weaver hasn't played since April due to an oblique injury but says his body feels great and he's ready for all four sessions of play.
Meanwhile, the American team dealt with unexpected setbacks. Three players, including world number one Preston Stout, missed Thursday's Walker Cup dinner after catching a stomach bug. US captain Nathan Smith said the players bounced back quickly and used the extra rest day to recover fully.
The Bright Side
This matchup showcases the best of amateur golf when it matters most. GB&I's roster includes Luke Poulter, son of Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter, plus Jack Whaley, who recently won the US Amateur title, and Stuart Grehan, the Amateur champion and lone Irishman on the team.
It's the first time since 2013 that GB&I has fielded winners of both major amateur championships on the same team. Sell-out crowds will pack the County Clare links to cheer them on, and Robertson calls the Irish fans an "11th man" on the team.
Both captains agree the challenging weather makes the match tougher but more interesting. Players will need to control their ball flight and adapt quickly, skills the home team has been honing through links golf their entire lives.
The match begins Saturday morning with foursome contests followed by afternoon singles, repeating the same format Sunday.
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Based on reporting by BBC Sport
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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