The prestigious Golden Walker Cup is set to make its highly-anticipated return, with the 50th edition of this biennial match commencing on Saturday at the renowned Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California.
This competition showcases the brightest amateur talent from both the United States and Great Britain & Ireland, and excitement is building among golf enthusiasts.
Last month marked the official ringing in of rosters for Team USA and Great Britain & Ireland, as the U.S. squad was finalized after the conclusion of the 125th U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club.
Eighteen-year-old Mason Howell emerged triumphantly by winning the Havemeyer Trophy, securing his place among a student-driven lineup.
Howell isn’t alone in making his Walker Cup debut; he is one of eight American players taking their first step into this iconic competition.
Among the team, Stewart Hagestad stands out as he prepares for his fifth consecutive Walker Cup appearance, highlighting his consistency and prowess on the national golfing stage.
Here’s a closer look at the ten-member Team USA roster:
Ethan Fang, ranked third in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), transferred to Oklahoma State last year, where he played a pivotal role in securing the Cowboys’ 12th national championship.
This summer, he also made history by winning the British Amateur, being the first American to achieve this since Drew Weaver in 2007.
Stewart Hagestad, with a WAGR of 42, boasts an impressive Walker Cup record of 8-6-1.
An incredible milestone is that Hagestad has never lost to Team GB&I throughout his participation.
Meanwhile, Mason Howell, with a WAGR ranking of 148, has had a remarkable summer, arriving at the Walker Cup following his U.S. Amateur victory.
His journey gained momentum after shooting back-to-back 63s in a U.S. Open qualifier, earning him a place in the field at Oakmont.
Leading the team is Jackson Koivun, currently holding the top spot in WAGR at 1.
After winning the Fred Haskins Award—often referred to as the Heisman Trophy of college golf—Koivun had an extraordinary summer, finishing in the top 11 in three consecutive PGA Tour events.
Ben James, holding a WAGR of 2, has a Walker Cup record of 1-2-0.
He is a rising senior at Virginia who made waves during his freshman year with five tournament victories, securing the 2023 Phil Mickelson Award and sharing Ryder Cup experience with Hagestad.
Michael La Sasso, ranked 9th in WAGR, was one of the first selections for the team, thanks to his outstanding NCAA individual championship win in May.
Jacob Modleski follows closely behind with a WAGR of 13, earning a spot as he made the quarterfinals at the recent U.S. Amateur.
At 6-foot-9, Tommy Morrison towers over both his competitors and the cypress trees at Cypress Point, and is currently 4th in the PGA Tour University rankings for 2026.
Preston Stout, 4th in WAGR, has the honor of being a back-to-back Big 12 individual champion, having recently triumphed at the Northeast Amateur and earning medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur.
Completing the lineup is Jase Summy, ranked 5th in WAGR.
He has demonstrated excellent form leading up to the Walker Cup, recently sharing medalist honors with Fang at the Carmel Cup and winning the Western Amateur against Fang in the finals.
As the nation’s top amateurs prepare to tee off at Cypress Point Club, all eyes will be on this exciting clash of golf titans in the storied Walker Cup.
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