U.S. Walker Cup team finalized for September matches in Ireland

The U.S. Walker Cup team for the September matches in Ireland has been finalized. Jay Leng of Stanford, along with William Jennings from Alabama, Ryder Cowan from Oklahoma, Josiah Gilbert from Auburn, Kihei Akina from BYU, and Stewart Hagestad from the mid-amateur, were among the six players named to complete the team. Oklahoma State teammates Preston Stout and Ethan Fang, along with juniors Tyler Watts and Miles Russell, were already on the 10-man roster appointed by U.S. captain Nathan Smith.

Stout and Fang competed on last year's team, which won a fifth straight Walker Cup, 17-9, at Cypress Point. Smith, who captained last year's team, will lead this year's roster as the U.S. aims for another victory. The U.S. leads the all-time series, 40-9-1. The matches are scheduled for September 5-6 at Lahinch in Ireland. Carson Bertagnole from North Carolina, Logan Reilly from Auburn, and Jack Turner from Florida were among those who did not make the team.

The Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team will be announced on Monday morning, with six returners already secured for Ireland. U.S. Amateur champion Jack Whaley is expected to fill one of the remaining four spots on the U.S. team.