James Sugrue in action in the South of Ireland last year
James Sugrue and John Murphy were today named on a 26 man extended panel for the Walker Cup, and both will be hoping for a good summer of golf to boost their chances of making the ten man team for September. The Walker Cup takes place in Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) later this year, and both will hope to follow in the footsteps of John McHenry (1987) and Jimmy Bruen (1938/49/51) in making the final team. Mallow’s Sugrue (22) was disappointed two weeks ago when he had to withdraw from the European Nations Cup due to injury. Now he’s back at full strength he’ll be looking forward to the squad practice in Hoylake next week prior to playing in the Lytham Trophy the following weekend. Kinsale’s John Murphy (20) is currently in Kentucky with the University of Louisville preparing for the NCAA regionals which take place at their home course next month.
John Murphy pictured after winning the St Andrew’s Links Trophy last year
Murphy has had a very strong second year in the US and will return to Ireland in late May when the college post-season concludes. Both players will now be under the watchful eyes of the selectors as the season gets into full swing. The two Cork golfers were among five Irish named in the squad. Conor Purcell, Caolan Rafferty and Mark Power were also named in the squad of 26 who will most likely form the final team of ten. Craig Watson, GB&I captain, said, “We have selected a talented group of players who are all in contention for a place in the team to play the United States of America and will be continuing to monitor the form and results of these players over the course of the season. We will also be looking closely at the performances of other players who have not been included in the squad and there is still time for them to play their way into our plans ahead of the final team selection later this year.” The tournament will be played in Hoylake, Liverpool in early September with GB&I aiming to win back the trophy after losing 19-7 at the Los Angeles Country Club two years ago.
The players selected for the GB&I squad are:
| Jake Burnage, Saunton, 23 | John Murphy, Kinsale, 20 |
| Kieran Cantley, Liberton, 21 | Joseph Pagdin, Lake Nona, 17 |
| Ben Chamberlain, Padeswood & Buckley, 21 | Thomas Plumb, Yeovil, 20 |
| Archie Davies, Carlisle, 17 | Mark Power, Kilkenny, 18 |
| Alex Fitzpatrick, Hallamshire, 20 | Conor Purcell, Portmarnock, 21 |
| Bailey Gill, Lindrick, 21 | Caolan Rafferty, Dundalk, 26 |
| Conor Gough, Stoke Park, 16 | Sandy Scott, Nairn, 20 |
| David Hague, Malton & Norton, 22 | Tom Sloman, Taunton & Pickeridge, 22 |
| Harry Hall, West Cornwall, 21 | Jamie Stewart, Old Course Ranfurly, 19 |
| Jake Hapgood, Southerndown, 22 | James Sugrue, Mallow, 22 |
| Benjamin Jones, Northamptonshire County, 19 | Tom Thurloway, Chartham Park, 21 |
| Ryan Lumsden, Royal Wimbledon, 22 | Euan Walker, Kilmarnock (Barassie), 23 |
| Euan McIntosh, Turnhouse, 50 | Robin Williams, Peterborough Milton, 17 |
Cork Golf News 