There are few better proving grounds for a young up-and-coming golfer than the Walker Cup – just ask the Fitzpatrick family. Matthew Fitzpatrick, the 2013 U.S. Amateur champion, recorded top-20 finishes at both The Open and the U.S. Open this year, but his breakthrough came six years ago in the famous amateur event.
He won three out of four of his matches in defeat as Great Britain and Ireland fell 17-9 at the National Golf Links of America. Now his younger brother Alex – who caddied for Matthew during his U.S. Amateur victory at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. – is looking to follow in his footsteps.
PHOTOS: Friday at Royal Liverpool Golf Club
“I think as any amateur would like to be playing in the Walker Cup, it's probably the pinnacle of the amateur game,” said Alex, 20. “Obviously being involved in the team, it's something I've always wanted to do. So yeah, I guess it's an achievement that can't be matched, really.
“[Matthew has wished me] good luck. That's about it. The odd text now and then. But no, not really any advice.
In spite of Matthew’s efforts in 2013, GB&I is still yet to win on American soil since 2001, but they have not been defeated on their own since 2007. That is a streak Fitzpatrick-the-younger is keen to extend.
Home Advantage Key
During Friday's press conferences, the high winds were a popular topic of conversation. The GB&I players seem to think that windy conditions will favor them, while the Americans weren't too sure.
“Apparently the conditions tomorrow and Sunday will be not as much wind, so this past week has been pretty windy,” said Fitzpatrick. “There's been a few showers and stuff, so the conditions will be a little different tomorrow. But I still think it'll play an advantage with any sort of wind that we'll have. The Americans aren't quite as used to playing hard, fast courses, so hopefully that will sort of catch them out a bit. But I'm sure they've prepared well, and they'll adjust to how strong the wind is."
Cole Hammer, who recently was awarded the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world's top-ranked amateur, confirmed that conditions won't be an issue for him.
"I'm from Texas, said the 20-year-old. "It blows down there hard, so I've seen this before. I think honestly, the harder it is, the better is for us."
USA Seeking Rare Road Win
Nothing quite compares to links golf and that is the challenge currently facing the American Walker Cup team. Young star Brandon Wu has prior experience playing in the UK and has helped impart some wisdom to his teammates.
“Coming over here the conditions are a little bit different than what we experience in the United States,” he said.
Currently leading 36-9 in the overall tally since the tournament’s inception in 1922, the USA has nevertheless failed to win on the road since 2007. With Great Britain and Ireland looking to wrestle back the crown after a 19-7 triumph for the USA in Los Angeles back in 2017, Wu knows that this week of preparation has been critical, particularly with getting more comfortable with the foursomes (alternate shot) format.
And while the weather could well be testing, Wu admits the format itself may prove a challenge.
“With the foursomes format, I think we've put a lot of emphasis on how important that is,” he said. “I know historically we haven't done as well in the foursomes format as we would have liked, so starting in December at the practice session we played six rounds of foursomes there, we played foursomes at Pinehurst last week and played a bunch of foursomes this week.
“So, I think we've had the experience of getting used to the format, getting used to our partners, and we are looking forward to getting that started.”
The 47th Walker Cup Match begins with four foursomes matches on Saturday morning, followed by eight singles matches on Saturday afternoon.
