Sandy Scott retains Walker Cup spot for Seminole showdown

Nairn’s Sandy Scott has retained his place in the Great Britain & Ireland team for the 48th Walker Cup at Seminole in Florida in May.

Sandy Scott of GB & Ireland celebrates holing a putt during day the 2019 Walker Cup at Royal Liverpool. Picture: Richard Martin-Roberts/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

The 22-year-old played in the 2019 match at Royal Liverpool under Craig Watson’s captaincy and will now have another Scot, Stuart Wilson, at the helm for this edition.

Scott, the world No 8, and Alex Fitzpatrick the younger brother of European Tour player Matt, are the only survivors from a 15.5-10-5 defeat on Merseyside.

Fitzpatrick is among seven English players in the 10-strong side this time around, the others being Barclay Brown, Angus Flanagan, Ben Jones, Matty Lamb, Joe Long and Ben Schmidt.

In addition to Scott, the line up is completed by Irish duo John Murphy, the 2018 St Andrews Links Trophy winner, and Mark Power.

“The Walker Cup is the pinnacle of the amateur game for these players and we are delighted that they will have the opportunity to compete against their counterparts from the USA at Seminole,” said Wilson, the 2004 Amateur champion.

“It gives them the opportunity to display their exceptional talent and will provide a lifetime of memories.

“After a difficult year with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are all looking forward to the match this year and I know the team will be doing their very best to win back the Walker Cup.”

Scott, who won both his singles matches at Royal Liverpool, had been set to embark on his professional career before Covid-19 struck.

He earned a spot in last year’s US Open at Winged Foot through his world ranking and is currently back at Texas Tech.

English pair Jack Dyer and Jake Bolton are the two reserves for the 8-9 May match.

GB&I team

Barclay Brown (20, Hallamshire, England)

Alex Fitzpatrick (22, Hallamshire, England)

Angus Flanagan (21, St George’s Hill, England)

Ben Jones (21, Northamptonshire County, England)

Matty Lamb (23, Hexham, England)

Joe Long (23, Lansdown, England)

John Murphy (22, Kinsale, Ireland)

Mark Power (20, Kilkenny, Ireland)

Ben Schmidt (18, Rotherham, England)

Sandy Scott (22, Nairn, Scotland)

Reserves

1. Jack Dyer (23, Boyce Hill, England)

2. Jake Bolton (22, Ogbourne Downs, England)

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