BBC SPORT | GOLF | GB & Ireland retain Walker Cup

Great Britain and Ireland's amateur golfers ripped up the history books to retain the Walker Cup for the first time for 79 years.

Luke Donald and Nick Dougherty led the charge by winning twice on the final day, including the first two singles matches as the team roared back from one point down to crush the United States.

The cup was clinched when Scottish star Marc Warren defeated James Driscoll on the par-three 17th.

That gave Great Britain and Ireland 12.5 points - more than enough to retain the Walker Cup for the first time since it began in 1922.

We exceeded my expectations - it's better than I dreamed it would be

GB&I skipper Peter McEvoy

Warren was clearly delighted with his efforts, particularly the moment he sank the winning putt.

"It's the best feeling in my life," he said.

"The first time to defend the trophy, in America, and to hole the winning putt makes it that more special."

The American statisticians will no doubt point to the history books and tell their British counterparts that they still lead overall.

However, in recent years the dominance is slowly shifting across the Atlantic.

GB&I won two years ago at Nairn Golf Club in Scotland, erasing a two-point deficit on Sunday by winning 10 of the 12 matches.

The result was not so different at Ocean Forest Golf Club.

McEvoy
Captain McEvoy: We exceeded expectations
Trailing by one point going into the last day, GB&I won three of the four alternate shot matches in the morning to regain the lead.

The final score was 15-9 - equalling GB&I's record points total in the competition.

"We exceeded my expectations," said Peter McEvoy, who also was the GB&I captain two years ago.

"It's better than I dreamed it would be."

The only American highlight was Bryce Molder, the four-time All-American from Georgia Tech who delayed turning pro for another chance to win the Walker Cup.

Molder, the only American to go unbeaten, saved par from the bunker on the 18th for a one up victory over Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.

That was scant consolation.

"I didn't come back to play. I came back to win," Molder said.

America's Bryce Molder during the foursomes
US star Molder was left dejected
He went back to cheer on his teammates, but all hope was lost at that point.

Gary Wolstenholme, who beat 19-year-old Tiger Woods in the 1995 Walker Cup, defeated Nick Cassini four and three to become the first GB&I player to be on three winning teams.

British amateur champion Michael Hoey rallied from three down after five holes to beat Danny Green.

American Erik Compton, who received a heart transplant when he was 12, halved his match with Jamie Elson.

Donald, who won the NCAA championship at Northwestern in 1999, overcame a fleeting deficit to beat Lucas Glover.

Donald closed out the match on the 16th, hitting his approach from the thick rough into 15 feet for a birdie.

Dougherty followed with a one up victory over DJ Trahan, who found the bunker on the 18th and failed to get up-and-down.


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