Ten golfers have been selected for the Great Britain and Ireland team to compete against the United States of America in the 50th Walker Cup match at Cypress Point.
Taking place at the breathtaking venue on the Monterey Peninsula in California on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, GB&I is bidding to win the famous trophy for the first time since 2015 when the team secured a 16½-9½ victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Dean Robertson will captain the GB&I side, with the former European Tour winner leading his team to an impressive 16½-8½ triumph over the Continent of Europe at the St Andrews Trophy in Spain last month.
Robertson said, “This talented team represents the very best in skill, unity, resilience and determination and each player is thoroughly deserving of the opportunity to compete in the Walker Cup for Great Britain and Ireland.
“I’ve been watching the players over a long period to understand their personalities and attributes to meet the demands presented by Cypress Point.
“We are underdogs but I’m confident we are equipped to compete at the highest level and will give it our best shot. We are travelling to Cypress Point to embrace the challenge, honour the legacy of the Walker Cup and aim to make history by reclaiming this famous trophy.”
The top five players on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) and five selections make up the GB&I side. The team includes all nine players who won the St Andrews Trophy last month, including Luke Poulter, son of Ian, and fellow Englishman Tyler Weaver, the top-ranked player in the side at 11th on WAGR®.
Scottish duo Cameron Adam and Connor Graham, who both qualified to compete in The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, are included with Graham the only returning player in the team that lost to the USA 14½-11½ at St Andrews in 2023. Countryman Niall Shiels Donegan is also included fresh from his run to the semi-finals of the US Amateur.
Former professional Stuart Grehan makes his Walker Cup debut after the Irishman’s return to the amateur ranks in 2025.
Dean Robertson (Captain)
The Scot, 55, leads the GB&I team for the first time in the Walker Cup after countryman Stuart Wilson captained the side in 2021 and 2023. Robertson enjoyed a strong amateur career including winning the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993 and representing GB&I in the Walker Cup that year at Interlachen Country Club in the USA. Robertson also turned professional in 1993 and went on to win the Italian Open in 1999 with a one-shot win over Pádraig Harrington, made four appearances in The Open and represented Scotland in the World Cup in 1999 and 2001. Robertson is Head of Golf at the University of Stirling helping develop players including Louise Duncan and Lorna McClymont.
About The Walker Cup
The Walker Cup Match is a biennial ten-man amateur team competition between a team composed of players from Great Britain and Ireland and the USA. It is played over two days with 18 singles matches and eight four somes matches. The USA leads the overall series 39-9-1.
About The R&A
The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 to take on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport. The R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews is part of The R&A group.
Together The R&A and the USGA govern the sport of golf worldwide, operating in separate jurisdictions with a commitment to a single code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status and Equipment Standards. The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, governs the sport worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, on behalf of over 108 million golfers in 148 countries and with the consent of 167 organizations from amateur and professional golf.
The R&A has responsibility for running a series of world class amateur events and international matches in women’s and girls’ as well as men’s and boys’ golf. The R&A stages the AIG Women’s Open and works with the DP World Tour to stage the ISPS HANDA Senior Open presented by Rolex.
The R&A is committed to investing £200 million over ten years in developing golf and supports the growth of the sport internationally, including the development and management of sustainable golf facilities.
