Fitz leads the way as GB&I take grip of the match
England’s Alex Fitzpatrick led from the front yesterday, by beating world No. 1 Cole Hammer, as Great Britain & Ireland claimed a two-point lead heading into today’s final day of the Walker Cup at Royal Liverpool.
Level with the United States at 2-2 after the morning Foursomes, the home side won the afternoon singles 5-3 thanks to victories from Fitzpatrick and compatriot Conor Gough, Scotland’s Euan Walker and Sandy Scott and Ireland’s Caolan Rafferty.
It could have been even better for captain Craig Watson’s side as British Amateur champion James Sugrue lost the last two holes to slip to defeat to John Pak, while Conor Purcell and Tom Sloman were beaten by John Augenstein and Brandon Wu respectively.
Fitzpatrick recovered from being two down after three holes to beat Hammer by two holes in a scrappy but entertaining affair, the 20-year-old impressing his older brother and Ryder Cup player Matt with a vital birdie on the 15th and nerveless tee shot down the last.
“I’m delighted for him,” five-time European Tour winner Matt Fitzpatrick said. “I thought he played pretty solid all day, his chipping wasn’t up to much this afternoon but he putted well so that was a big difference.
“He showed down the stretch when he hit some great shots that he can handle the pressure.”
Alex, who had partnered Conor Purcell to a foursomes victory over Augenstein and Andy Ogletree in the morning, added: “It’s a bit of pressure I must admit.
“It was a great game, he (Hammer) got one over on me at the US Amateur, so it was nice to get one back on him. He deserves to be world No. 1, he’s such a good player when he’s on form. I just happened to catch him on not such a good day.
“I felt like I’ve been playing really well this week and felt up to the task so I was pleased when I saw they put me out first and saw his name. I enjoy challenges and today was quite a big one to face but I’m happy I succeeded.
“The support we had all day was unbelievable and I’m pretty pumped.”
Fitzpatrick and Gough were the only two home players to enjoy a 100% record on the opening day, Gough having partnered Harry Hall to a Foursomes win over Stewart Hagestad and Akshay Bhatia.
The Singles wins for Walker and Scott made amends for their Foursomes defeat to Pak and Isaiah Salinda, Walker beating Steven Fisk by two holes and Scott holding his nerve to beat Ogletree on the 18th.
The home side need six-and-a-half points from today’s four Foursomes and 10 Singles matches to regain the trophy and claim a sixth win from the last seven contests on home soil.