Edwards will Walk off with cup, says former team-mate

LOTHIANS star David Inglis is backing Nigel Edwards to bring out the best in the Great Britain & Ireland players in this weekend’s Walker Cup.

Inglis was in the same winning team as the Welshman in the biennial event at Ganton in 2003 and reckons he has all the qualities to be a successful skipper as well.

“Nigel will be a great captain,” said the former British Boys’ champion. “It all came down to his match in 2003 and he made the best putt on 17 I’ve ever seen to clinch the cup.

“He knows how the guys will be feeling out there and his experience will help the players. No-one will want to win more than Nigel.”

One of three Scots in the side for that match, Inglis won his singles match on the final day at Ganton, beating Ryan Moore as GB&I recorded a 12.5-11.5 victory.

The Americans have won all three of the encounters since then and are the favourites heading into the event at Royal Aberdeen.

But Inglis, the assistant coach of the men’s golf team at Northwestern University in Chicago these days, reckons the underdog tag will sit nicely with Edwards and his team.

“It looks like the US team is stronger on paper again this year and Peter Uihlein and Patrick Cantlay will be their top players along with Russell Henley and Harris English, both winners on the Nationwide Tour this year,” added the former Glencorse man. “But we were underdogs at Ganton and came out on top so I don’t see why GB&I can’t do the same again this year.

“The home crowd can be a big advantage and hopefully everyone will turn out in big numbers and get behind the GB&I team.

“If that happens, I think we will have a great chance. Of course, some wind and a little rain won’t hurt either.”

Banchory’s James Byrne and Michael Stewart of Troon Welbeck are the two Scots in a GB&I line-up that also includes Tom Lewis, the leading amateur in this year’s Open.

“I don’t know much about either of the Scots,” admitted Inglis. “I don’t know Michael at all. I saw James at a couple of tournaments this year but never had a chance to watch him.

“I noticed that he played well [in the Johnnie Walker Championship] at Gleneagles recently.”

The match tees off at 9am tomorrow and is being covered by BBC.