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Walker Cup-1

As GB&I prepare to reclaim the Walker Cup after losing out heavily to the USA in 2013, we’ve recapped some of the finest moments as GB&I search for their ninth victory in the 45th match at Royal Lytham & St Annes this weekend.

Walker Cup Trial

1938 – A maiden win

Action from the tenth Walker Cup which took place on the Old Course at St Andrews – historic in that GB&I, captained by John B. Beck, claimed their maiden win 7.5-4.5.

Britain's Walker Cup

1971 – A 33-year wait for win No.2

With the 1940 match halved due to World War Two, the Walker Cup didn’t start up again until 1947 and the USA won 12-in-a-row until, once again, GB&I tasted victory at the Old Course. Michael Bonallack’s men edged it 13-11, and after waiting 33 years for win No.2, it was to be another 18 years before win No.3.

Colin Montgomerie of Great Britain & Ireland

1987 – Monty looks on

Playing in his second Walker Cup after featuring in the 13-11 defeat at Pine Valley in 1985, Colin Montgomerie was part of a GB&I side which was crushed 16.5-7.5 at Sunningdale. After only picking up half a point from a possible four in ’85, the Scot performed better in ’87, losing both his foursomes matches with Graeme Shaw but defeating Jim Sorenson and Billy Andrade in singles to contribute two points.

1989 Walker Cup

1989 – First win on US soil

An historic first win for GB&I as they clinched their first win on US soil, winning 12.5-11.5 at Peachtree Golf Club, Atlanta. Despite the close scoreline, GB&I were ahead 11-5 going into the final session before a resurgent USA hit back on Sunday afternoon, but left themselves just too much to do. With the overall Walker Cup scoreline at 29-3-1, this match signalled a huge change in the fortunes of GB&I.

Gary Wolsteholme shaking hands with Tiger Woods.

1995 – Wolstenholme tames Tiger

Gary Wolstenholme, making the first of his six Walker Cup appearances, puts his marker down by defeating 19-year-old Tiger Woods 1UP in the Saturday singles as he helped GB&I to a 14-10 victory at Royal Porthcawl. Woods did get his revenge though, beating Wolstenholme 4&3 on Sunday, but by then it was too late to make a difference to the outcome.

Luke Donald

1999 – Donald delivers at Nairn

Luke Donald hoists the Walker Cup trophy above his head after helping GB&I to a 15-9 win at Nairn. In a team which also included Paul Casey, Simon Dyson and Graeme Storm, Donald collected four points from a possible four, and followed that up in 2001 with three wins out of four at Ocean Forest Golf Club.

Walker Cup X

2001 – Warren helps GB&I to consecutive wins

A fresh-faced, 20-year-old Marc Warren helps GB&I to back-to-back wins in the Walker Cup for the very first time. The Scot won both his singles matches, over John Harris and James Driscoll, to help the team win by the same scoreline at Nairn two years previous. The GB&I side that year also included Donald, Graeme McDowell, Nick Dougherty, Michael Hoey and Richard McEvoy.

Great Britain and Ireland team celebrates after winning the 2003 Walker Cup

2003 – Three-in-a-row!

GB&I make it three Walker Cup wins in succession after a win at Ganton Golf Club. But it’s a much closer affair than the two previous matches, with Welshman Stuart Manley beating Trip Kuehne 3&1 in the deciding singles match for a 12.5-11.5 overall score. The next two Walker Cups also finish with the same scoreline, but it’s the USA who come out on top in both.

(L-R) Stuart Wilson, Graham Gordon and David Inflis of Great Britain and Ireland celebrates

2003 – Three Scots celebrate

Stuart Wilson, Graham Gordon and David Inglis hold the Saltire proudly after helping GB&I to their third consecutive win over the USA. The next time three Scots would be seen in the Walker Cup team? Yeah, that’s right, this year. Will we see a similar photo taken of Grant Forrest, Jack McDonald and Ewen Ferguson at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Sunday?

Walker Cup

2007 – Home hero

Even as an amateur back in 2007, spectators gathered to see Rory McIlroy. Playing at Royal County Down, the four-time major winner defeated Billy Horschel in the Sunday afternoon singles, revenge after being beaten by him on Saturday afternoon. The Americans won 12.5-11.5 after a comeback from GB&I on Sunday and, as well as Horschel, their side included Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson and Chris Kirk.

2011 Walker Cup - Day Two

2011 – Winners once more

After USA made it three-in-a-row themselves at Merion in 2009, GB&I bounced back at Royal Aberdeen, winning the match 14-12. The team’s strength in the foursomes was pivotal – 6.5-1.5 – against an American side which included Jordan Spieth, Harris English and Russell Henley.

2013 Walker Cup - Day One

2013 – Revenge for Moynihan?

GB&I fell to a resounding defeat at National Golf Links two years ago, with Irishman Gavin Moynihan the only player featuring again this year at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Moynihan helped GB&I to two of their nine points in New York and was the team’s only Sunday afternoon singles winner, defeating Patrick Rodgers 2&1. Will Moynihan be on the winning side this year?

The Walker Cup :: Who will win?

Can GB&I recover from defeat in the last match to lift the Walker Cup this weekend? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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