US takes 3 alternate-shot matches, closes in on 3rd straight Walker Cup title

US closes in on third straight Walker Cup

ARDMORE, Pa. — The United States moved closer to winning its third straight Walker Cup, claiming three of four alternate-shot matches Sunday for an 11-5 lead over Great Britain and Ireland at Merion Golf Club.

The U.S. needs two points in the afternoon singles to retain the cup and 2½ points out of 10 matches to win. The U.S. leads the series 33-7-1.

Americans Rickie Fowler and Bud Cauley ran their weekend record to 3-0 with a 1-up victory over GB&I’s Stiggy Hodgson and Niall Kearney in the only morning match to reach the 18th hole.

Hodgson and Kearney were 2-down after the 14th. The teams matched pars on the 15th and birdies at the 16th. GB&I moved to 1-down with a par on the 17th, but Fowler and Cauley made a two-putt par at the last to seal the win.

“This is why I stuck around,” said Fowler, who played two seasons at Oklahoma State and chose to wait until after the Walker Cup to turn pro. His first event will be next week on the Nationwide Tour in Idaho.

Peter Uihlein remained unbeaten in three U.S. matches and teamed with 31-year-old Nathan Smith for a second alternate-shot victory. The pair made quick work of Chris Paisley and Dale Whitnell, winning 5-and-4.

The other U.S. point came from Brian Harman and Adam Mitchell, who rallied from 3-down after three holes and defeated Gavin Dear and Matt Haines 3-and-2.

Wallace Booth and Sam Hutsby accounted for GB&I’s lone victory, beating Drew Weaver and Brendan Gielow 3-and-2.