Royal Lytham & St Annes
The Walker Cup
Royal Lytham & St Annes’ hosted The Walker Cup between the 12th and 13th September 2015 and Great Britain and Ireland beat the USA to regain the trophy.
The hosts won 16½-9½, securing victory with six matches to go and finishing with their best-ever points tally. They have won five of the past six contests at home.
GB&I captain Nigel Edwards, who led his side to victory for the second time in three attempts, said: "At Royal Aberdeen [in 2011] we were up against it until the death but the boys at the top of the order went out fast as we needed them to do."
Young Irishman Dunne, who led The Open after 54 holes before fading on the final day, added: "I will take winning over 30th place every day. It's so much better to do it as a team. Nigel has been a fantastic captain. He inspired us from start to finish."
Dunne secured the half-point needed for victory after world number two Maverick McNealy missed a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
For Nigel Edwards, the Great Britain and Ireland captain, this was an emotional 16½ - 9½ success. He had presided over the unlikely win over an American squad boasting the likes of Jordan Spieth in Aberdeen four years ago. Then the Welshman saw glory turn to ignominy in 2013 with a 17-9 reversal in Long Island. The R&A kept faith and Edwards rewarded it in emphatic style.
“Gosh. It’s great,” Edwards said . “At Aberdeen, we were up against it until the death but this time the boys at the top of the order went out fast as we needed them to do.”
Great Britain and Ireland needed 3½ points from the 10 singles and although that sounds straightforward it was far from a given with the US history with their own ball. Spectators were stunned to see Bryson DeChambeau – the US Amateur champion – out in the anchor spot. Edwards played it perfectly. Ashley Chesters was once again told to lead the home challenge off and beat Jordan Niebrugge 3&1.
Of course, the spotlight was on Paul Dunne – who, in The Open, actually became the first amateur to lead going into the final round in 88 years . Dunne, 22, had the honour of grasping the winning half-point against the world No 2, Maverick McNealy.
For full match results, please click here
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