Law ruled out of GB&I Walker Cup side

Scot controversially ruled out of GB&I side for clash with America at Royal Aberdeen from September 10-11

Andy Roberts's picture
Thu, 18 Aug 2011
Law ruled out of GB&I Walker Cup side

David Law was made the shock exclusion from the GB&I Walker Cup team yesterday after selectors announced the ten-man side to face America at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club on September 10 and 11.

Law, who thought he’d done enough to book his place at the 43rd biennial clash with the United States having won his second Scottish Amateur crown three weeks ago, revealed his absence from the side marks the biggest disappointment of his golfing career to date.

“In my opinion, the selectors have made a mistake,” said the Aberdonian, who recently became the first player to claim multiple Scottish Amateur crowns since Charlie Green’s back-to-back successes almost 30 years ago.

“Playing in the Walker Cup in my home city has been my goal for the last two years and I’m just gutted that I’ve not made it.

“This is the biggest disappointment of my career. I’m down at the moment but I have to look at the bigger picture as I’ve entered stage one of the European Tour’s qualifying school and hope to turn pro.”

The 20-year-old prodigy of 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie also owns an impeccable matchplay record of losing just five times in 46 contests and ranks more than 120 places higher in the rankings than selected Irishman Alan Dunbar, whom he beat 2&1 in last week’s Home Internationals singles match.

“In recent weeks, when I needed to perform under pressure, I did,” said Law, who won the Northern Amateur Open in South Africa earlier this season.

“I won the Scottish Amateur and showed the guys that I can win under pressure and after last week’s Home Internationals, where I took four out of six points, I felt as though I’d done more than enough.

“I did have a poor spell before this but over the past month, I felt I’ve done all that I could. It’s not been enough.”

The former Scottish Boys’ champion, who took consolation of a first-reserve place, also plays his golf at Royal Aberdeen and would have brought a considerable wealth of local knowledge and local backing from the sidelines to the table.

Elsewhere, Open Championship Silver Medal champion Tom Lewis and compatriot Stiggy Hodgson, the only returnee from the losing 2009 side, will spearhead captain Nigel Edwards’ side as they look to derail America’s bid for a fourth consecutive Walker Cup victory.

GB&I Walker Cup side

Captain
Nigel Edwards

Players
Steven Brown (Wentworth)
James Byrne (Banchory)
Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
Alan Dunbar (Rathmore)
Stiggy Hodgson (Sunningdale)
Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City)
Rhys Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan)
Jack Senior (Heysham)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
Andy Sullivan (Nuneaton)

Reserves
David Law (Hazlehead), Ross Kellett (Colville Park)