Great Britain and Ireland hold a slender one point lead at 8½-7½ after morning foursomes on day two of the 47th Walker Cup at Royal Liverpool. The Americans secured 2½ of the four available points, reducing their overnight deficit by one going into the final session and the afternoon singles.
The visitors need 5½ points to retain the trophy won in Los Angeles two years ago, while GB&I will need five points to win the match.
Craig Watson, GB&I captain, said, “It's going to be close this afternoon and it’s going to probably go right to the last match. Both teams are so even. The half point in the last game this morning was a boost for us as we’re still ahead. But it's going to go right to the wire.”
“I feel a little bit short-changed after that last match,” said Nathaniel Crosby, captain of the USA.
“I feel very rewarded with Brandon and Alex winning that first match. You know, got a point back. It's a one-run game and eight points out there, so let's see what happens this afternoon. Our guys are definitely motivated.”
Match 1: Alex Fitzpatrick and Conor Purcell vs. Alex Smalley and Brandon Wu
The Americans claimed the first point of the session thanks to Alex Smalley and Brandon Wu winning their match 2&1 against Alex Fitzpatrick and Conor Purcell. Despite being behind for long periods of the encounter, they fought back to be all-square after 14 holes. A birdie at the long par 5 16th put Smalley and Wu ahead for the first time and they secured the match after the GB&I pairing conceded on the 17th.
Match 2: Sandy Scott and Euan Walker vs. John Augenstein and Andy Ogletree
Scottish duo Sandy Scott and Euan Walker rescued a halve for GB&I after chasing John Augenstein and Andy Ogletree for much of their match against the Americans. They found themselves 2-down with four holes to play, but pars on the 15th and 17th holes were enough to level the contest at all-square. The 18th was halved in par to give both sides a share of the spoils.
Match 3: Conor Gough and Harry Hall vs. Akshay Bhatia and Stewart Hagestad
Stewart Hagestad and Askhay Bhatia put another point on the board for the USA after convincingly beating Conor Gough and Harry Hall 3&2. The American pair were 3-up after five holes and never looked back as Gough and Hall struggled to peg them back. A birdie at the par 5 16th sealed the match.
Match 4: Thomas Plumb and Tom Sloman vs. Cole Hammer and Steven Fisk
Thomas Plumb and Tom Sloman proved too much for Cole Hammer and Steven Fisk as they ran out 5&3 winners in the last foursomes match out on the course. They raced into four holes lead by the 7th hole and despite dropping one hole back on the 8th, a birdie at the 14th followed by a concession by the Americans at the next hole gave Watson’s side a crucial point.
