Boote And Davidson Land Walker Cup Spots

Wales internationals David Boote and Jack Davidson have made it into the Walker Cup squad, the first time in 10 years there has been more than one Welsh player.

Since 2007, when Nigel Edwards, Rhys Davies and Llewellyn Matthews played alongside Rory McIlroy at Royal County Down, only Rhys Pugh has represented Wales in the transatlantic amateur version of the Ryder Cup when he was picked in 2011 and 2013.

“David and Jack were both really strong contenders, but it is still great to see them included in the team,” said Golf Union of Wales chief executive Richard Dixon.

“Owen Edwards was also in the wider squad, but unfortunately he misses out. David’s performances over the last few seasons, along with Jack’s tremendous performances this season, made them stand out.

“They were both part of the Wales team which won the European Nations Cup this season, with Jack claiming the individual honours as well as the Spanish Amateur.

“Of course Jack won our own Welsh Amateur title a couple of weeks ago to clinch his place, as well as all three singles matches in the Home Internationals last week.

“David has a strong record in America during his time at Stanford University, including reaching the quarter-finals of the US Amateur last year. He also played in the Great Britain and Ireland team in the St Andrews Trophy last year, sinking the putt which retained the cup.”

To put the achievement into context, only 15 Welsh players have ever been picked for the Walker Cup, the first being John Morgan in 1951.

The 46th Walker Cup match which will be played at Los Angeles Country Club on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.

GB&I will be aiming to defend the trophy after securing a 16½-9½ victory in the 2015 match at Royal Lytham & St Annes; their biggest winning margin since the match was first played in 1922.

A ten-player team and two reserves have been named for the 2017 match with five Englishmen featuring alongside two Scots, two Welshmen and one player from Ireland.

The GB&I team includes The Amateur champion Harry Ellis, the Silver Medal Winner at The Open and European Amateur champion Alfie Plant, the Lytham Trophy champion Jack Singh Brar and the winner of the St Andrews Links Trophy Matthew Jordan. Last year’s Amateur champion Scott Gregory is joined in the team by the man he defeated in the final, Robert MacIntyre.

Craig Watson, who will be captaining the GB&I team for the first time in the match, said, “We have been very impressed with the performances of many of the GB&I players so far this season and it has been a difficult decision to select only ten players.

“The Walker Cup match is one of the highlights of the golfing calendar and a tremendous opportunity for the players to shine on such a big stage. The Americans will be determined not to lose two matches in a row but we have selected a strong team and I’m sure the players will give it their all to try to retain the trophy.”

The GB&I team:

David Boote, 23, Walton Heath, Wales

Jack Davidson, 20, Llanwern, Wales

Harry Ellis, 21, Meon Valley, England

Scott Gregory, 22, Corhampton, England

Matthew Jordan, 21, Royal Liverpool, England

Paul McBride, 21, The Island, Ireland

Robert MacIntyre, 21, Glencruitten, Scotland

Alfie Plant, 25, Sundridge Park, England

Jack Singh Brar, 20, Remedy Oak, England

Connor Syme, 22, Drumoig, Scotland