Great Britain & Ireland complete stunning Walker Cup comeback at Lahinch

Great Britain & Ireland produced a stunning final-day comeback at Lahinch to beat the United States 13.5-12.5 and win the Walker Cup for the first time since 2015.

GB&I looked to be heading for defeat after the United States dominated Sunday morning's foursomes, sweeping all four matches to establish a three-point advantage heading into the decisive singles.

But on a gusty day in Ireland, the home side led by captain Dean Robertson responded in spectacular fashion.

GB&I won the opening four singles matches to completely transform the contest, turning a 9.5-6.5 deficit into a 10.5-.9.5 lead with six matches still to play.

Stuart Grehan got the comeback rolling by defeating Preston Stout for the second consecutive day. Jack Whaley then delivered one of the most emphatic results of the week, beating William Jennings 8&7.

Luke Poulter followed with a 3&1 victory over Ethan Fang, before Tyler Weaver completed a remarkable four-match sweep by defeating Jay Leng Jr. 4&3.

Those results changed the entire complexion of the 51st Walker Cup. 

After being comprehensively beaten in the foursomes, GB&I suddenly had momentum and needed only three more points from the final six matches to secure victory.

The United States managed to fight back, but could only claim 2½ points from those remaining matches.

Kihei Akina and Niall Sheils Donegan halved their contest, while Eliot Baker and Stewart Hagestad went to the final hole before Baker secured another point for GB&I. Connor Graham also shared his match with Miles Russell.

That left Josh Hill with the opportunity to seal the Walker Cup.

Playing Tyler Watts, Hill held his nerve on the 18th, getting up and down from a greenside bunker on the final hole to claim the decisive point.

The result gave GB&I their first Walker Cup victory since 2015 and ended a run of five successive American triumphs in the biennial amateur team contest.

It was also the greatest comeback in Walker Cup history, with GB&I overturning a three-point deficit to win 13½-12½.

After the Americans had dominated the morning, it was ultimately GB&I who delivered when the pressure was at its highest.

"That is one of the greatest team comebacks in the sport," said Sky Sports commentator and former winning Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley

"I'd equate that to being up there with the Miracle at Medinah." 

2026 Walker Cup Results: Sunday

Morning Foursomes

Foursomes: GB&I 0 – 4 USA
Overall: GB&I 6.5 – 9.5 USA

Afternoon Singles

Singles: GB&I 7 – 3 USA
Final: GB&I 13.5 – 12.5 USA