2015 Walker Cup: Preview

Great Britain and Ireland take on the United States of America at Royal Lytham & St Annes GC.

The 2015 Walker Cup will pit the leading amateurs from Great Britain & Ireland against those from the United States of America for the 45th time on September 12th.

Played biennially, the tournament consists of 26 matches over two days, with foursomes and singles used to determine the winning team.

To win at Royal Lytham & St Annes this year, eight foursomes matches and 18 singles matches must be negotiated.

Similarly to the Ryder Cup, a point is awarded for winning your match, with a half point being awarded if a match finishes all square.

Great Britain & Ireland have only won the tournament once in the last five editions, when they secured victory at Royal Aberdeen GC with a score of 14-12 in 2011.

Andy Sullivan was amongst the players on the winning side against an American team that included Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Russell Henley and Peter Uihlein.

The USA won in 2013 and captain John "Spider" Miller will be able to include the Open's leading amateur, Jordan Niebrugge, in his team as they bid to defend the trophy.

Niebrugge won't be the only star of St Andrews on show, however, as captain Nigel Edwards has Paul Dunne and Ashley Chesters in his GB&I team.

While Dunne went into the final round tied for the lead, Niebrugge finished just four shots off a play-off spot, winning the Silver Medal in the process.

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Sam Horsfield withdrew from the original team selection and has been replaced by Ewen Ferguson, with 17-year-old Bradley Moore now a first reserve.

Here are the two teams in full:

GB&I: Ashley Chesters (ENG), Jack McDonald (SCO), Gavin Moynihan (ROI), Ewen Ferguson (SCO), Jimmy Mullen (ENG), Paul Dunne (ROI), Grant Forrest (SCO), Jack Hume (ROI), Gary Hurley (ROI) and Cormac Sharvin (ROI) .

USA: Mike McCoy, Hunter Stewart, Robby Shelton, Jordan Niebrugge, Maverick McNealy, Lee McCoy, Scott Harvey, Beau Hossler, Denny McCarthy, Bryson DeChambeau.