The Walker Cup: Who will make Team GB&I?

GB&I team captain Nigel Edwards and the R&A’s team of selectors are preparing to choose the 10 young amateurs tasked with regaining the Walker Cup from September 12-13.

The team to play at Royal Lytham & St Annes will not be selected until after the English, Scottish and Welsh Amateur Championships, the Home Internationals and the US Amateur – which finishes on August 23.

Last week a 15-strong squad of hopefuls met at the host venue one last time, but in this series of features we will look at the players most likely to be selected for the final team. 

We’ve chosen five who are certain to go, and five who lead the race to claim the other available spots.

Regular NCG contributor Colin Callandar will also have his say on why these players are the ones to regain the Walker Cup.

It’s worth noting that if a GB&I player wins the US Amateur, they would earn an automatic place in the team.

‘Dunne will have been the first name written on the team sheet after his exploits at the Open’ The Certainty

Paul Dunne (Greystones, Ireland)

Age:22

WAGR position: 38

An overnight sensation after tying for the third-round lead of the Open at St Andrews.  Graduated from the University of Alabama this year.

Colin says: Dunne will have been the first name written onto the team sheet after his exploits at The Open at St Andrews although he has been a firm favourite to make the side ever since claiming 3 ½ points out of 4 for GB & I at last year’s St Andrews Trophy against Europe. He is regarded as a consummate team player and it also helps that he’s already forged a formidable partnership with his compatriot, Gary Hurley. The only way he won’t be at Lytham is if he decides to cash in on his Open success by turning professional.

The Possible

Gary Hurley (West Waterford, Ireland)

Age: 22

WAGR position: 27

Runner-up in the Spanish International Amateur Championship. T90 at this year’s Irish Open.

Colin says: One of the places may come down to a straight fight between Hurley and his compatriot, Jack Hume. It’s a close call between two fine players but the former might have a slight edge after impressing Captain Edwards while emerging undefeated in GB & I’s victory at last year’s St Andrews Trophy against the Continent of Europe. On that occasion, Hurley formed a successful foursomes partnership with Paul Dunne and it was continued at the recent European Men’s Team Championship in Sweden where they combined to win both of their games.  

Click here to read about the next two players hoping to make the Walker Cup team.