Luke Donald leads praise for Great Britain and Ireland’s comeback Walker Cup victory
Great Britain and Ireland's Walker Cup triumph drew praise from present and past Ryder Cup captains as they saluted skipper Dean Robertson’s side for delivering one of the most dramatic comebacks in the event’s history at the 51st edition of the competition at Lahinch.
After losing the Sunday morning foursomes 4–0 and falling three points behind, GB&I faced a deficit no team had ever overturned to win the Walker Cup. With seven of the top ten players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking in the American team and all ten inside the top 25, the strength of the U.S. side underlined the scale of the challenge facing GB&I. But with six players who had returned from the team that suffered a difficult defeat on Sunday at Cypress Point in 2025, experience paid off and they rose to the occasion, in a comeback 2014 Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley likened to “the Miracle at Medinah".
McGinley later added on X: “Congratulations to Dean and the GB&I team on one of the greatest comebacks in golfing history.”
Congratulations to Dean and the GB&I team on one of the greatest comebacks in golfing history. 🏆
While each team may bring a different dynamic, the fundamentals remain the same ….👏💪🇬🇧🇮🇪@SkySportsGolf
Fuelled by early momentum in the singles, England's Jack Whaley set the tone. The U.S. Amateur champion was six under par through 11 holes to defeat World Number Five William Jennings 8&7, which is the largest margin of victory by a GB&I player since matches became 18 holes in 1963.
Luke Poulter, Tyler Weaver and Stuart Grehan also delivered vital points at the top of the draw, with Grehan coming from behind for the second straight day to defeat the World Number One amateur Preston Stout.
With three matches still on the course, the U.S. edged back in front, leaving Great Britain and Ireland needing 2½ points from the final three matches to secure their first Walker Cup victory since 2015.
It all eventually fell to 22-year-old Josh Hill. Although the lowest ranked player on either side, it was Hill who secured the decisive point, producing a superb up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the final hole to defeat Tyler Watts 1UP.
European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, watching closely throughout, called it an “amazing fight” and praised the team’s grit, perseverance and never‑give‑up attitude, writing: “Incredible finish for Team GB&I, showed such grit and perseverance and that never give up attitude. Well done Captain Dean and all the lads.”
Incredible finish for Team GB&I, showed such grit and perseverance and that never give up attitude. Well done Captain Dean and all the lads 🏆🇬🇧🇮🇪 https://t.co/u7xcfcPk3q
Pádraig Harrington added his own tribute on X, posting: “What a win for GB&I. Such an enjoyable experience watching the ebs and flows of an amazing comeback. Congratulations to @DeanoGolf99 and all his team @WalkerCup. @RandA @USGA.”
What a win for GB&I. Such an enjoyable experience watching the ebs and flows of an amazing comeback. Congratulations to @DeanoGolf99 and all his team @WalkerCup. @RandA@USGAhttps://t.co/QEtQ7jUyVb
Robert MacIntyre also praised Robertson’s leadership, writing on his story: “This guy should be leading our national team going forward.”
