United States Dominates Walker Cup with Force
Pebble Beach, California – The American team demonstrated its supremacy in the Walker Cup, securing its fifth consecutive victory over Great Britain and Ireland. Sunday’s day, marked by exceptional play and an unbeatable atmosphere, culminated in a final score of 17-9 in favor of the Americans. With an initial one-point lead, the Americans set an impressive record in the singles matches, winning eight of the ten encounters and tying another. The performance was a clear reflection of their dominance throughout the tournament. Mason Howell, U.S. Amateur champion, closed out a spectacular summer with a tie against Connor Graham. Stewart Hagestad, veteran of the U.S. team, secured the victory with a birdie on the 15th hole. Preston Stout also contributed to the victory, defeating Luke Poulter.Bryson DeChambeau provided additional motivation to the American team on Saturday night, which boosted their performance. The Americans’ winning streak is the longest since they achieved eight consecutive victories between 1973 and 1987. Unlike the Walker Cup two years ago at St. Andrews, the American team did not need heroic feats on Sunday, as they dominated the game from the start. Howell excelled in Sunday morning’s foursomes, achieving a 35-foot birdie on the 15th hole and a hole-out from the fairway on the 17th hole. Jackson Koivun and Tommy Morrison turned a potential defeat into a victory. The US team stood firm under the blue sky, displaying a dominant performance. The scoreboard quickly filled with favorable results for the Americans, posing a challenge to the Great Britain and Ireland team, who were seeking to win on US soil for the first time since 2001.I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Walker Cup team play like they did this afternoon in singles.
Nathan Smith, U.S. team captain
The United States now leads the series with a record of 40-9-1, since it began in 1922. Mason Howell, the winner of the U.S. Am, commented on his experience at the Walker Cup. Great Britain and Ireland have only won twice in the United States. Great Britain and Ireland captain Dean Robertson expressed his admiration for the performance of the American team. Koivun, the world amateur ranking number 1, won three matches after losing the first foursomes. Tommy Morrison also secured a victory, and Howell achieved a tie. Stout, ranked number 5 in the amateur ranking, maintained his lead against Poulter.I am very proud of my players. They will grow with this. As much as losing sucks, if it didn’t, winning wouldn’t matter.
Dean Robertson, captain of Great Britain and Ireland
I saw how they played, and I simply found a shaded tree. You just have to step aside and let the horses run.
Nathan Smith
