USA in command at Merion
The United States have stormed to an 8-4 lead over Great Britain and Ireland on the opening day of the 42nd Walker Cup.
The United States stormed to an 8-4 lead over Great Britain and Ireland on the opening day of the Walker Cup at Merion Golf Club on Saturday.
The USA were already leading 3-1 going into the afternoon singles matches and things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Rickie Fowler trounced Sam Hutsby 7&6 and Peter Uihlein defeated Tommy Fleetwood 2&1, while Bud Cauley also beat Niall Kearney by the same result.
Stiggy Hodgson, who also won his foursomes match, salvaged some pride by beating Brendan Gielow in Great Britain and Ireland’s only singles victory.
Gavin Dear, Wallace Booth, Matt Haines and Chris Paisley all halved their matches against Brian Harman, Cameron Tringale, Morgan Hoffmann and Drew Weaver respectively.
Earlier in the day, Uihlein and Nathan Smith’s dramatic victory over Dear and Haines helped give the USA to a 3-1 morning lead.
The visitors had led for most of the match but Uihlein sank an 18-footer for par on the final hole to secure a 1-up victory.
That was immediately followed by a 6&5 win for Fowler and Cauley over Luke Goddard and Dale Whitnell and that made it three out of three for the USA, Harman and Hoffmann having earlier defeated Booth and Hutsby 2&1 in the opener.
Hodgson and Kearney managed a 3&1 win over Tringale and Adam Mitchell in the final foursomes match to give Great Britain and Ireland a glimmer of hope.
FIRST DAY RESULTS
TOTAL SCORE FOR FIRST DAY
United States 8, Great Britain & Ireland 4
FOURSOMES:
Brian Harman/Morgan Hoffmann (USA) bt Wallace Booth/Sam Hutsby (Gbr) 2 & 1
Peter Uihlein/Nathan Smith (USA) bt Gavin Dear/Matt Haines (Gbr) 1up
Rickie Fowler/Bud Cauley (USA) bt Luke Goddard/Dale Whitnell (Gbr) 6 & 5
Cameron Tringale/Adam Mitchell (USA) lost to Stiggy Hodgson/Niall Kearney (Gbr) 1 & 3
SINGLES:
Brian Harman (USA) halved with Gavin Dear (Gbr)
Rickie Fowler (USA) bt Sam Hutsby (Gbr) 7 & 6
Cameron Tringale (USA) halved with Wallace Booth (Gbr)
Morgan Hoffmann (USA) halved with Matt Haines (Gbr)
Peter Uihlein (USA) bt Tommy Fleetwood (Gbr) 2 & 1
Drew Weaver (USA) halved with Chris Paisley (Gbr)
Bud Cauley (USA) bt Niall Kearney (Gbr) 2 & 1
Brendan Gielow (USA) lost to Stiggy Hodgson (Gbr) 1 & 2
USA 5, Gbr&Ire 3
Latest
-
NewsPoland’s Adrian Meronk eclipses Adam Scott to win Australian Open
Despite taking the lead into Sunday, Scott was ultimately unable to repel Meronk’s challenge.
-
NewsThriston Lawrence and Clement Sordet set for final-day battle at South African Open
Thriston Lawrence leads his playing partner by two shots.
-
European TourAdam Scott leads Australian Open ahead of Adrian Meronk
Scott moved to 11 under on Saturday, one stroke better than Meronk at the summit.
-
European TourAdam Scott equals course record to share halfway lead at Australian Open
Scott carded five birdies and an eagle on the 18th at Victoria Golf Club.
-
European TourHole-in-one helps Tom McKibbin make strong start in South Africa
The 19-year-old holed out with a five iron from 232 yards on the 11th hole.
-
NewsA nice birdie-fest – Tiger Woods expecting low scoring Hero World Challenge
Woods withdrew on Monday due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
-
NewsAdam Scott relishing chance to experience a career first at the Australian Open
The tournament sees men, women and golfers with disabilities competing on the same course at the same time.
-
NewsTiger Woods backs up Rory McIlroy and says LIV Golf boss Greg Norman ‘has to go’
Woods called McIlroy a ‘true leader’ as he spoke out about the Saudi-funded breakaway.
-
NewsTiger Woods withdraws from Hero World Challenge due to foot problem
The former world number one has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
NewsTiger Woods to partner son Charlie in next month’s PNC Championship
Woods has not played since the Open Championship in July.