The Walker Cup is the biannual matchup of the best amateur players in the United States against the best amateur golfers in Great Britain and Ireland. The Walker cup goes back to the early 1920’s with one of the first matches being played at storied National Golf Links of America.
To know the quality of the play at these matches, just look at some of the past participants. Those include Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, Colin Montgomerie, Davis Love III, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth and Padraig Harrington. The United States has done well over time carrying a 38-9-1 record.
The venues of recent Walker Cups have been epic. Two years ago Team USA won at the exclusive Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. This year it’s being played at The Old Course at St. Andrews. Oh, by the way, 2025 will take place at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach.
Team USA was a heavy favorite going into the two day competition. However, through the first day they have fallen behind and are trailing 4.5 to 7.5. Highlights of the day 1 play can be seen at the USGA site. The final day will start off with foursome matches. The afternoon session includes all 10 members of each team facing off in singles matches. It will be a race to the magic 13.5 point total to win the Walker Cup.