Power, Sugrue, Rafferty and Purcell in revised Walker Cup squad

Mark Power. Picture by Pat Cashman Photography

Four Irish players have made The R&A’s revised squad of 16 players who are in contention for the Great Britain and Ireland team to play against the United States of America in the 47th Walker Cup match at Royal Liverpool.

Amateur champion James Sugrue from Mallow, Kilkenny’s Mark Power, Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty and Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell are in the group gathered at Hoylake today and tomorrow for practice sessions ahead of the biennial encounter set for September 7-8.

The changes made by GB&I captain Craig Watson to the initial squad of 26 players selected in April include call ups for English trio Matty Lamb, David Langley and Joshua McMahon. 

Craig Watson, GB&I captain, said, “We have monitored results of the players originally selected since we last got together as a squad, while also keeping an eye on the performances of other players not included. 

“We have brought in three new players who have had encouraging results in recent events and we look forward to working with them and the other players when we meet up at Royal Liverpool this week.”

24-year-old McMahon comes into contention for selection after winning the Lytham Trophy  in May, while Lamb and Langley have recorded encouraging results over the summer months. 

The players selected for the GB&I squad are:

Jake Burnage, Saunton, 23

Thomas Plumb, Yeovil, 20

Alex Fitzpatrick, Hallamshire, 20

Mark Power, Kilkenny, 18

Bailey Gill, Lindrick, 21

Conor Purcell, Portmarnock, 21

Harry Hall, West Cornwall, 21

Caolan Rafferty, Dundalk, 26

Benjamin Jones, Northamptonshire County, 19

Sandy Scott, Nairn, 20

Matty Lamb, Hexham, 21

Tom Sloman, Taunton & Pickeridge, 22

David Langley, Castle Royle, 25

James Sugrue, Mallow, 22

Joshua McMahon, Wallasey, 24

Euan Walker, Kilmarnock (Barassie), 24

GB&I is aiming to win back the trophy after losing 19-7 at the Los Angeles Country Club two years ago and the final ten-man team will be announced in August.

Tickets are now on general sale for the 47th Walker Cup match and can be purchased via www.randa.org/walkercuptickets.