Jake has stomach for fight

FEELING sick to the stomach is only natural when getting ready to represent your nation at the Walker Cup. But nerves had nothing to do with the queasiness that flattened both Britain and Ireland and the Americans as the oldest team event in golf got underway at Seminole in Florida yesterday.

Such was the virulent nature of a stomach bug, that no fewer than 14 of the 20 players scheduled to compete were afflicted in the build-up. The two captains, Stuart Wilson for the visitors and Nat Crosby — son of Bing — were so ill that neither made it to Seminole on the eve of the event.

The line-ups for the first series of foursomes yesterday morning were only finalised two hours before t he start, when both captains had risen from their sick beds to discover who was fit.

The stellar foursomes play saw all four matches going to the 18th hole. The Americans began as favourites but their opponents showed tremendous spirit to emerge 2-2 heading into the eight singles after lunch.

Jake Bolton was one of the alternates but the Englishman came up with a 30ft putt at the 17th and an equally telling iron blow at the 18th to win his anchor match with Angus Flanagan.

Irish pair Mark Power and John Murphy were three down with eight to play but emerged with a point following a comeback where the only tee they stood on holding the lead was the 18th.

Americans Alex Fitzpatrick and Barclay Brown fought back from three down to level. America’s Cole Hammer had the final word, however, holing from 35ft on the 18th for a point. The 48th edition concludes with four foursomes and 10 singles today.