Paju, Korea - Great Britain and Ireland produced an extraordinary final-day Singles comeback on Sunday to defeat the United States 13½–12½ at Lahinch Golf Club, capturing the 51st Walker Cup in one of the most dramatic finishes in the event’s 104-year history.
Trailing 9½–6½ after being swept 4–0 in the Sunday morning foursomes, Dean Robertson’s team mounted a remarkable afternoon rally along the County Clare coast. The historic victory snaps a five-match winning streak for the Americans and secures GB&I’s tenth overall Walker Cup title—their first since 2015 at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The outcome came down to the final match on the 18th hole between England’s Josh Hill and Tyler Watts. After finding the greenside bunker with his approach, Hill produced an exquisite recovery shot to three feet before sinking the winning par putt to seal the decisive point.
“We are so elated... there’s a lot of emotion and happy tears,” said GB&I Captain Dean Robertson. “Even after being swept 4–0 this morning, there wasn’t any despondency. The boys brought incredible energy in the afternoon, and Josh Hill produced a unbelievable bunker shot at the last to win it.”
GB&I’s afternoon charge was ignited by U.S. Amateur champion Jack Whaley, who dispatched William Jennings 8&7—equaling the second-largest Singles victory in Walker Cup history. Home favorite Stuart Grehan then rallied from two down to defeat World No. 1 Preston Stout 2&1, while Luke Poulter tied the overall match at 9½–9½ with a 3&1 win over Ethan Fang.
Crucial late points from Tyler Weaver and Eliot Baker, alongside gritty halves from Niall Sheils Donegan and Connor Graham, set the stage for Hill’s 18th-hole heroics.
“The match was incredible—a tale of two sessions today,” admitted U.S. Captain Nathan Smith. “We knew how deep their team was and what they were capable of. All you can do is tip your cap to them; they played great.”