Dunbar poised for Walker debut says skipper

Amateur ace Alan Dunbar has put himself in pole position to earn his Walker Cup call up in September.

That's the view of GB&I skipper Colin Dalgleish, who confessed that he wasn't seriously considering the Portrush ace before he captured the St Andrews Links Trophy on Sunday.

Alan Dunbar is looking good for Walker Cup selectionDunbar, 19, is now a virtual certainty to make the side with Dalgleish admitting: "We have lost players like Shane Lowry but Alan is someone we will be watching closely when we are picking the team.

"It was a great win and he is a player that for some time we have recognised as a powerful young player with a lot of potential.

"He's well in the mix right now, that is for sure. He has taken a significant step up.

"Until his performance at the weekend he was probably not in serious consideration."

Dalgleish lost star player Lowry to the professional ranks when the Offaly man grabbed the 3 Irish Open as an amateur in May.

But it remains to be seen how many Irish players will get the call up to face the Americans at Merion from September 12-13.

Ireland has not had more than two players in a Walker Cup side since 1991 when Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Gareth McGimpsey played at Portmarnock.

Brabazon Trophy winner Niall Kearney, East of Ireland champion Paul Cutler, US-based Simon Ward and Castle's Dara Lernihan are the leading contenders.

Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup squad

Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
Alan Dunbar (Rathmore)
Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin)
Dara Lernihan (Castle)
Simon Ward (Co Louth)
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Todd Adcock (Nevill)
Wallace Booth (Comrie)
Gavin Dear (Murrayshall)
Nigel Edwards (Whitchurch)
Rhys Enoch (Truro)
Steven McEwan (Caprington)
Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall)
Charlie Ford (Kirby Muxloe)
Luke Goddard (Hendon)
Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham Park)
Paul O’Hara (Colville Park)
Sam Hutsby (Liphook)
Keir McNicoll (Carnoustie)
Chris Paisley (Stocksfield)
Eddie Pepperell (Drayton Park)
Tom Sherreard (Chart Hills)
Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck)
Steven Uzzell (Hornsea)
Ben Westgate (Trevose)
Dale Whitnell (Five Lakes)
Gordon Yates (Hilton Park)