USA needs just 3.5 points from 10 singles to retain the Walker Cup at Lahinch
Great Britain and Ireland captain Dean Robertson believes his troops still have a chance to come back from a Sunday morning foursomes whitewash and win the Walker Cup at Lahinch.
The hosts took a one-point lead into the second day, but the Americans were mercilessly brilliant in a 30kmh south-west wind, claiming all four matches to take a 9.5-6.5 lead into the 10 singles this afternoon.
The US needs just 3.5 points to retain the title and four to win the match outright and claim a sixth successive victory.
GB&I must claim seven points to win for the first time since 2015, and Robertson was not yet ready to wave the white flag.
“Well, first of all, the US team played exceptional golf this morning,” the Scot said. “Absolutely world-class, and hats off to them.
“Our players played well. The focus this afternoon is that chances are going to present themselves, and we need to be ready to take them.
“We need to get some momentum out early. We need to get the crowd behind us. And then if we do that, the pressure is going to build, and then we’ve still got a chance. So we are going to be positive in the afternoon. That’s it. That’s it.”
If the Americans produce anything like the form they showed in the morning, they will be impossible to stop.
Preston Stout and Ethan Fang were five-under par as they beat Stuart Grehan and Eliot Baker (three-under) 3&2 in the top match.
Stout even came close to acing the driveable 277-yard 13th, hitting his tee shot through a stiff wind to a couple of feet.
Jay Leng Jnr and Kihei Akina were also five-under in their 4&3 win over Luke Poulter and Sam Easterbrook.
In the third match, one-under-par figures were enough to give left-handers Tyler Watts and Miles Russell a 3&2 win over Tyler Weaver and Connor Graham.
In the bottom match, William Jennings and Ryder Cowan were also five under as they beat Niall Sheils Donegan and Josh Hill 4&3.
It’s the first time the US have swept a foursomes session since 2007, and captain Nathan Smith was more than pleased.
“All the credit to them,” he said. “They got it done. They played great.
“We had a long talk, you know, put our best teams out and everything, and they went out and played incredible golf. So all the credit to them.
“There are some special people on the team. I think they’re not only incredible golfers, but they’re incredible young men. They grew up playing golf together.
“They’re buying in as a team. You have a lot of leaders with this team. And as a captain, it’s been great. I’m just honoured to be their captain.”
51st Walker Cup, Lahinch Golf Club
Overall: USA: 9.5, Great Britain and Ireland 6.5
Sunday foursomes (US names first)
Preston Stout & Ethan Fang bt Stuart Grehan & Eliot Baker 3&2
Jay Leng Jnr & Kihei Akina bt Luke Poulter & Sam Easterbrook 4&3
Miles Russell & Tyler Watts bt Tyler Weaver & Connor Graham 3&2
William Jennings & Ryder Cowan bt Niall Sheils Donegan & Josh Hill 4&3.
Singles (US names first)
13:35 Preston Stout v Stuart Grehan
13:45 Ethan Fang v Luke Poulter
13:55 William Jennings v Jack Whaley
14:05 Jay Leng Jnr v Tyler Weaver
14:15 Kihei Akina v Niall Sheils Donegan
14:25 Stewart Hagestad v Eliot Baker
14:35 Miles Russell v Connor Graham
14:45 Tyler Watts v Josh Hill
14:55 Ryder Cowan v Ben Bolton
15:05 Josiah Gilbert v Sam Easterbrook