Early gimme controversy erupts at Walker Cup: "It was going to be given"

Scotland's Niall Shiels Donegan found himself at the centre of an unusual gimme controversy during the opening session of the 51st Walker Cup.

The drama unfolded on the 9th hole in match four of the opening foursomes session at Lahinch.

Shiels Donegan and his teammate Josh Hill were cruising in their match against the United States pairing of Josiah Gilbert and Ryder Cowan.

The Scot had a short birdie putt to take a 4up lead but missed on the high side.

His effort rolled out to what many will likely believe was gimme length, but before Gilbert and Cowan could concede the putt, Shiels Donegan decided to scoop up his golf ball.

Cameras immediately panned to a confused looking Cowan, who could be seen saying the word: "Bro." 

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, speaking on the Sky Sports broadcast, said the Americans were well within their rights to claim the hole despite it looking "unsporting".

"It was give-able," McGinley said. "But that's not for Niall to determine so the Americans are within their right here. [He's] just too quick there [to pick up his ball]. It's inexperience. It was going to be given."

The incident did not ultimately derail the GB&I pairing, who continued to pull away from Gilbert and Cowan and became the only team in the morning session to win by more than one hole.

It was an encouraging start for captain Dean Robertson's side, who are attempting to win the Walker Cup for the first time since 2015 and end a run of five successive defeats to the United States.

The opening match saw Stuart Grehan and Eliot Baker halve with world number one Preston Stout and Ethan Fang, while Connor Graham and Tyler Weaver edged Jay Leng Jr. and Kihei Akina 1up.

The Americans' only full point of the morning came from Miles Russell and Tyler Watts, who beat Luke Poulter and Sam Easterbrook 1up.

That left GB&I with two wins, one half and one defeat from the four matches, giving Robertson's team an early 2½-1½ advantage in the 51st edition of the contest.

Shiels Donegan's victory was particularly significant given the Scot's strong recent record in match play. 

He reached the semi-finals of last year's U.S. Amateur and returned to the Walker Cup side for a second consecutive appearance. 

He is ranked No. 18 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

GB&I now carry their narrow advantage into Saturday afternoon's eight singles matches, which begin at 2 p.m. local time. 

The United States needs 13 points to retain the Walker Cup, while GB&I require 13½ points to take the trophy back.