A bunker, three feet, and the trophy
Josh Hill holed out from the bunker to three feet at the 18th and then knocked in the birdie. Great Britain and Ireland won the Walker Cup on Sunday at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland.
The 22-year-old Englishman beat Tyler Watts, the world amateur No. 2, 1 up. It was the final point the hosts needed to seal a 13.5-12.5 victory.
It is GB&I’s first win in the competition since 2015. The Americans’ five-match winning streak is over.
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Eight singles, and not a single US win
The script deserved a better ending than a bare scoreline. GB&I led by one after Saturday’s foursomes and singles. The United States then swept all four Sunday morning foursomes to surge ahead 9.5-6.5.
And then it fell apart. In the first eight singles matches of the afternoon, the Americans lost six and halved two. Not one win.
Irishman Stuart Grehan sparked the comeback by beating world amateur No. 1 Preston Stout 2 and 1. Luke Poulter, son of English veteran Ryder Cup man Ian Poulter, controlled Ethan Feng 3 and 1. Jack Whaley, who won the US Amateur this summer, then battered William Jennings 8 and 7.
Too little, too late for the Americans
Miles Russell, one of the leading American prospects, halved his match with Connor Graham. He will join Florida State next season, along with Charlie Woods.
Ryder Cowan and Josiah Gilbert then picked up full points in the last two singles. Enough to trim the damage on the scoreboard, but that was about it.
The United States needed 13 points to keep the trophy and 13.5 to win it. They finished on 12.5.
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