Great Britain and Ireland regained the Walker Cup in record-breaking fashion at Royal Lytham Sunday, securing the points required against the United States with six matches to spare.
Leading 10-6 after the morning foursomes, the home side required just three and a half points from the 10 singles to secure a fifth win in the last six contests on home soil.
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And after doing so at the earliest possible opportunity thanks to victories for Ashley Chesters, Cormac Sharvin and Jimmy Mullen – who compiled a perfect 4-0 record – and a half from Paul Dunne in the top four matches, further wins from Grant Forrest and Gary Hurley sealed an emphatic triumph.
The 16.5 to 9.5 scoreline meant both a record points tally and margin of victory, surpassing the 15-9 wins in 1999 and 2001 by sides featuring the likes of Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and 2015 captain Nigel Edwards.
#WalkerCup Getting to grips with the cup in their hands ! Dunners and GMoney ! @GUIGolf pic.twitter.com/yh5lMtISMI
— golffile (@golffile) September 13, 2015
Mullen, 21, who became the first GBI player to win all four matches since Casey and Donald in 1999, said: “It did not matter as long as the team won, but to win all my matches is the icing on the cake.”
Dunne, who led the Open after 54 holes before fading on the final day, added: “I will take winning over 30th place every day.
“It’s so much better to do it as a team. Nigel has been a fantastic captain and inspired us from start to finish.”
