Three Scots in GB&I team for St Andrews Trophy defence

Drumoig's Connor Syme has been picked for the St Andrews Trophy in Kent. Picture: Kenny Smith

Three members of Scotland's European Championship-winning side have been picked in the Great Britain & Ireland line-up for next week's St Andrews Trophy in Kent.

Grant Forrest (Craigielaw), Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) and Connor Syme (Drumoig) will be trying to help fellow Scot Craig Watson get off to a winning start to his captaincy in the two-day event at Prince’s Golf Club on July 20-21.

The trio were the top performers as Scotland retained the European title with a 5-2 win over Sweden in the final at Golf de Chantilly on Saturday.

Peebles’ Craig Howie, another member of that team, is the first reserve for the event next week, when GB&I will be bidding to retain the trophy following a 14-10 victory at Barsebäck in Sweden two years ago.

“We have selected a strong team for this match knowing that it will be a tough encounter at Prince’s”, said Watson, who succeeded two-time winning Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards earlier this year.

“The players have impressed the selectors with their excellent performances this season and are looking forward to the challenge of trying to retain the trophy that GB&I won in Sweden two years ago.”

MacIntyre’s conqueror in last month’s Amateur Championship final, Englishman Scott Gregory, is also in the team, as is talented young Irishman Jack Hume.

Forrest and Hume are the only survivors from the GB&I team that hammered the Americans in the Walker Cup at Royal Lytham last September.

Full GB&I team: David Boote (Wales), Jamie Bower (England), Grant Forrest (Scotland), Scott Gregory (England), Stuart Grehan (Ireland), Jack Hume (Ireland), Robert MacIntyre (Scotland), Alfie Plant (England), Connor Syme (Scotland). Reserves:

Craig Howie (Scotland), Conor O’Rourke (Ireland).