Walker Cup

Last updated

Walker Cup
Tournament information
Location2023: St Andrews, Scotland
Established 1922
Course(s)2023: Old Course at St Andrews
Organized by The R&A and United States Golf Association
Format Match play
Month playedSeptember
Current champion
Flag of the United States.svg United States
Golf current event.svg 2023 Walker Cup

The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested in odd-numbered years by leading male amateur golfers in two teams: United States, and Great Britain and Ireland featuring players from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The official name is the Walker Cup Match (not "Matches" as in Ryder Cup Matches). It is organised by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA). In 1921 the Royal Liverpool Golf Club hosted an unofficial contest which was followed by official annual contests from 1922 through 1924. From 1925 they became biennial, held on even-number years. After World War II they switched to odd-numbered years. From 2026 it will be held in even-numbered years following the switch of the Eisenhower Trophy to odd-numbered years to avoid that event clashing with the Olympic Games. [1] They are held alternately in the U.S., and Ireland or Britain.

Contents

The cup is named after George Herbert Walker who was president of the USGA in 1920 when the match was initiated. Walker is the grandfather and namesake of George H. W. Bush and great-grandfather of George W. Bush, the 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States, respectively.

Unlike the Ryder Cup, which similarly began as a competition between the U.S. and the United Kingdom, the Walker Cup has never been expanded to include all European amateur golfers.

As of 2023, the U.S. lead the Walker Cup series 39 to 9, with one match tied, but the two teams have been more evenly matched since 1989 when the Great Britain and Ireland team ended the U.S. team's eight-match winning run. The 1989 match and the three matches from 2003 to 2007 were all decided by a single point.

Founding of the Cup

Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) 1921

A team of American amateur golfers travelled in Britain in 1921, their objective being to win The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool (Hoylake). A match between American and British male amateur golfers was played on May 21, immediately before The Amateur Championship. This match was announced in The Times on May 10. The Times reports that the match was arranged by Gershom Stewart M.P., Chairman of Royal Liverpool Golf Club. [2]

The British team was: Tommy Armour, Colin Aylmer, Ernest Holderness, James Jenkins, Reymond de Montmorency, Gordon Simpson, Cyril Tolley and Roger Wethered. The American team was Chick Evans, William C. Fownes Jr. (Captain), Jesse Guilford, Paul M. Hunter, Bobby Jones, Francis Ouimet, J. Wood Platt, Fred Wright. The Americans won the match 9–3. [3]

Format

The Walker Cup employs a combination of foursomes (alternate-shot) and singles competition and was originally the format used for the professional equivalent Ryder Cup. Up to 1961, 36 holes matches were played: four foursomes on the first day and eight singles matches on the second day. From 1963, 18 hole matches were played, with four foursomes and eight singles matches on each day. In 2009, the number of singles matches on the second day was increased to 10, so that all members of the team play on this final afternoon. [4]

Results

Half points for halved matches were first awarded in 1971. Note that in the following table, half points for halved matches are included in the total scores prior to 1971 for consistency with later years. The following scores include halved matches: 1923: 1, 1926: 1, 1932: 3, 1934: 1, 1936: 3, 1938: 1, 1951: 3, 1957: 1, 1963: 4, 1965: 2, 1967: 4, 1969: 6

Source: [5] [6] [7]

YearVenueWinning teamScoreLosing teamCaptains
2023 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States14121112Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Mike McCoy
Flag of Scotland.svg   Stuart Wilson
2021 Seminole Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1412Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Nathaniel Crosby
Flag of Scotland.svg   Stuart Wilson
2019 Royal Liverpool Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States15121012Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Nathaniel Crosby
Flag of Scotland.svg   Craig Watson
2017 Los Angeles Country Club Flag of the United States.svg United States197Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Spider Miller
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Andy Ingram
2015 Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
1612912Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Spider Miller
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Nigel Edwards
2013 National Golf Links of America Flag of the United States.svg United States179Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jim Holtgrieve
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Nigel Edwards
2011 Royal Aberdeen Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
1412Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Jim Holtgrieve
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Nigel Edwards
2009 Merion Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1612912Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Buddy Marucci
Flag of Scotland.svg   Colin Dalgleish
2007 Royal County Down Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States12121112Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Buddy Marucci
Flag of Scotland.svg   Colin Dalgleish
2005 Chicago Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States12121112Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Bob Lewis
Flag of Ireland.svg   Garth McGimpsey
2003 Ganton Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
12121112Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Bob Lewis
Flag of Ireland.svg   Garth McGimpsey
2001 Ocean Forest Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
159Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Danny Yates
Flag of England.svg   Peter McEvoy
1999 Nairn Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
159Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Danny Yates
Flag of England.svg   Peter McEvoy
1997 Quaker Ridge Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States186Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Downing Gray
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Clive Brown
1995 Royal Porthcawl Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
1410Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Downing Gray
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Clive Brown
1993 Interlachen Country Club Flag of the United States.svg United States195Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Vinny Giles
Flag of Scotland.svg   George Macgregor
1991 Portmarnock Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1410Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jim Gabrielsen
Flag of Scotland.svg   George Macgregor
1989 Peachtree Golf Club Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
12121112Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Fred Ridley
Flag of England.svg   Geoff Marks
1987 Sunningdale Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1612712Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Fred Ridley
Flag of England.svg   Geoff Marks
1985 Pine Valley Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1311Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jay Sigel
Flag of Scotland.svg   Charlie Green
1983 Royal Liverpool Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States13121012Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jay Sigel
Flag of Scotland.svg   Charlie Green
1981 Cypress Point Club Flag of the United States.svg United States159Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jim Gabrielsen
Flag of England.svg   Rodney Foster
1979 Muirfield Flag of the United States.svg United States1512812Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Dick Siderowf
Flag of England.svg   Rodney Foster
1977 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States168Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Lewis Oehmig
Flag of Scotland.svg   Sandy Saddler
1975 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States1512812Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Ed Updegraff
Flag of England.svg   David Marsh
1973 The Country Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1410Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jess Sweetser
Flag of England.svg   David Marsh
1971 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
1311Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg  John M. Winters
Flag of England.svg   Michael Bonallack
1969 Milwaukee Country Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1311Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Billy Joe Patton
Flag of England.svg   Michael Bonallack
1967 Royal St George's Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States159Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jess Sweetser
Flag of Ireland.svg   Joe Carr
1965 Baltimore Country Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1212Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Johnny Fischer
Flag of Ireland.svg   Joe Carr
1963 Turnberry Flag of the United States.svg United States1410Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Richard Tufts
Flag of Scotland.svg   Charles Lawrie
1961 Seattle Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States111Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Jack Westland
Flag of Scotland.svg   Charles Lawrie
1959 Muirfield Flag of the United States.svg United States93Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Charles Coe
Flag of England.svg   Gerald Micklem
1957 The Minikahda Club Flag of the United States.svg United States812312Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Charles Coe
Flag of England.svg   Gerald Micklem
1955 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States102Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   William C. Campbell
Flag of England.svg   Alec Hill
1953 The Kittansett Club Flag of the United States.svg United States93Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Charlie Yates
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg   Tony Duncan
1951 Royal Birkdale Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States712412Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Willie Turnesa
Flag of England.svg   Raymond Oppenheimer
1949 Winged Foot Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States102Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Francis Ouimet
Flag of England.svg   Laddie Lucas
1947 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States84Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Francis Ouimet
Flag of England.svg   John Beck
1940–1946: Not held due to World War II
1940 Town & Country Club 1940 event was awarded to The Town & Country Club of St. Paul, Minnesota
but the matches were canceled due to World War II
1938 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
712412Flag of the United States.svg United States Flag of the United States.svg   Francis Ouimet
Flag of England.svg   John Beck
1936 Pine Valley Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States1012112Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Francis Ouimet
Flag of England.svg   William Tweddell
1934 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States912212Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Francis Ouimet
Flag of England.svg   Michael Scott
1932 The Country Club Flag of the United States.svg United States912212Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Francis Ouimet
Flag of Scotland.svg   Tony Torrance
1930 Royal St George's Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States102Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Bobby Jones
Flag of England.svg   Roger Wethered
1928 Chicago Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States111Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Bobby Jones
Flag of England.svg   William Tweddell
1926 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States612512Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Robert Gardner
Flag of Scotland.svg   Robert Harris
1924 Garden City Golf Club Flag of the United States.svg United States93Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Robert Gardner
Flag of England.svg   Cyril Tolley
1923 Old Course at St Andrews Flag of the United States.svg United States612512Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   Robert Gardner
Flag of Scotland.svg   Robert Harris
1922 National Golf Links of America Flag of the United States.svg United States84Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Great Britain &
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of the United States.svg   William C. Fownes Jr.
Flag of Scotland.svg   Robert Harris

Of the 49 matches, USA has won 39 matches, Great Britain and Ireland have won 9 with 1 match tied.

Future sites

From 2026, matches will be held in even-numbered years. Venue for the 2030 event has not yet been announced. [13]

See also

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References

  1. "Walker Cup to be contested in even years from 2026". R&A. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  2. "The "Invasion" Begins – American Golfers at Liverpool". The Times. May 10, 1921. p. 10.
  3. "Golf at Hoylake". The Times. May 23, 1921. p. 4.
  4. "New Format Twist: Sunday Singles Matches Increase By Two - 2009 Walker Cup Match". USGA. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  5. "Walker Cup results". USGA. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  6. "Walker Cup Match September 10-11, 2011" (PDF). USGA. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  7. "Walker Cup - History". R&A. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  8. "Coast to Coast: Seminole, Cypress Point to Host Future Walker Cups". USGA. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  9. "The 51st Walker Cup to be played at Lahinch in 2026". R&A. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  10. Beall, Joel (July 20, 2021). "Bandon Dunes to host 13 USGA championships". Golf Digest. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  11. "Oakmont and Merion Selected for Multiple Future Championships". USGA. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  12. "Chicago G.C. to Host 2033 Women's Open, 2036 Walker Cup". USGA. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  13. "Walker Cup Moving to Even Years Starting in 2026". USGA. Retrieved March 21, 2022.