Walker Cup preview

The Walker Cup, the biennial contest between GB&I and the USA and the pinnacle of the amateur golf, gets underway this week at the National Golf Links of America in New York

Walker Cup 2011
Nick Bonfield
By
published

Walker Cup preview

This week, the top British and American amateurs head to the National Golf Links of America in New York to contest the Walker Cup.

The biennial contest and amateur golf's most prestigious event pits Great Britain and Ireland against the USA in a Ryder Cup-esque competition.

The Walker Cup - which employs a combination of foursomes and singles - was inaugurated in 1922 at the National Golf Links of America, host of this year's match.

The USA leads the series 34-8, but it's been far more closely contested in recent years.

Indeed, since 1989, the teams are tied at 6-6, with three matches between 2003 and 2007 being decided by a solitary point.

GB&I triumphed 14-12 in 2011 at Royal Aberdeen, helping Europe/GB&I to an unprecedented clean sweep in all the major professional and amateur matchplay tournaments (Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Solheim Cup, Curtis Cup).

GB&I will also be confident of success this time around, with their challenge spearheaded by Open Silver Medallist and reigning US Amateur Champion Matthew Fitzpatrick, who is currently ranked first in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Fitzpatrick is joined in the team by the likes of world number seven Max Orrin, Callum Shinkwin (11), who defeated Fitzpatrick in the final of the English Amateur, and 2013 Amateur Champion Garrick Porteous (15).

The American side, though, is also brimming with talent. They boast three of the world's top five in Michael Kim, Cory Whitsett and Patrick Rogers and eight players from inside the top 28 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Full teams (world ranking):

Europe:

Matthew Fitzpatrick (1) Max Orrin (7) Callum Shinkwin (11) Garrick Porteous (15) Jordan Smith (16) Neil Raymond (18) Nathan Kimsey (20) Kevin Phelan (47) Gavin Moynihan (132) Rhys Pugh (344) USA:

Michael Kim (2) Cory Whitsett (3) Patrick Rodgers (5) Justin Thomas (12) Max Homa (13) Michael Weaver (22) Jordan Niebrugge (23) Bobby Wyatt (28) Todd White (101) Nathan Smith (148)

Schedule:

Friday September 6 - practice rounds and flag raising ceremony Saturday September 7 - morning foursomes, afternoon singles Sunday September 8 - morning foursomes, afternoon singles

Television times:

Saturday September 8 - Sky Sports 3, 9pm Sunday September 9 - Sky Sports 3, 9pm

Where next? Omega European Masters preview  

Nick Bonfield
Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x

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