Staff WriterThe GB&I Walker Cup team has been announced, and if there’s one thing you can say about this ten-man band of young hopefuls, it’s that they’re not flying 5,000 miles to California for the tan.
They’ll tee it up at the fabled Cypress Point on 6–7 September against the United States in the 50th Walker Cup, looking to bring the trophy back across the Atlantic for the first time since 2015.
And yes, it’s the same trophy they haven’t sniffed in a decade. But don’t mistake that for a lack of ambition.
At the helm is Dean Robertson, former European Tour winner and a man who knows how to get the most out of a team—he led GB&I to a dominant 16½-8½ win over the Continent of Europe at last month’s St Andrews Trophy. Now, he’s stepping into the Walker Cup captain’s role with a blend of belief, humility, and no illusions.
“This talented team represents the very best in skill, unity, resilience and determination and each player is thoroughly deserving of the opportunity to compete in the Walker Cup for Great Britain and Ireland,” Robertson said.
“I’ve been watching the players over a long period to understand their personalities and attributes to meet the demands presented by Cypress Point.
“We are underdogs but I’m confident we are equipped to compete at the highest level and will give it our best shot. We are travelling to Cypress Point to embrace the challenge, honour the legacy of the Walker Cup and aim to make history by reclaiming this famous trophy.”
Experience, Youth, and a Dash of Poulter
The GB&I Walker Cup team is an eye-catching blend of grit, flair, and familial legacy. Topping the talent list is Tyler Weaver—ranked 11th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®—and joined by the likes of Connor Graham, the only returnee from 2023, and Cameron Adam, a left-hander who’s been tearing up the amateur scene like he’s allergic to mediocrity.
Then there’s Luke Poulter. Yes, that Poulter. Son of Ian, and with a short game just as fiery as dad’s post-round quotes. He’s fresh off contributing 3½ points at the St Andrews Trophy and looking like a natural fit for the match play cauldron.
Add in comeback stories like Stuart Grehan—making his Walker Cup debut at the ripe young age of 32 after returning to amateur golf—and you’ve got a lineup with more narratives than a Netflix docuseries.
Full GB&I Walker Cup Team – 2025
Cameron Adam (Scotland, Royal Burgess, 22) – Broke course records en route to Scottish Amateur glory. Qualified for The Open. Has more confidence than a seagull in a chip shop.
Eliot Baker (England, Tiverton, 22) – Four WAGR® wins, a Scottish Open title, and a habit of turning heads at Home Internationals.
Dominic Clemons (England, Gog Magog, 23) – Qualified for The Open, made a PGA TOUR start, and won the Scottish Amateur by 17 shots. Modest, clearly.
Charlie Forster (England, Basingstoke, 22) – Two US college wins this year and a regular name on GB&I teams.
Connor Graham (Scotland, Blairgowrie, 18) – Made his Walker Cup debut at 16. Been doing serious damage ever since.
Stuart Grehan (Ireland, County Louth, 32) – Left the pro game, returned to amateur status, and is playing like it’s 2015 again.
Luke Poulter (England, Woburn, 21) – The Poulter gene is strong in this one. Nearly qualified for the US Open.
Niall Shiels Donegan (Scotland, Meadow Club, 20) – Made it to the semi-finals of the US Amateur. Born in Scotland, raised in California. He may need to flip allegiances depending on who’s buying dinner.
Gavin Tiernan (Ireland, County Louth, 19) – Ranked 1,340th in the world in June. Then he reached the final of The Amateur. Say no more.
Tyler Weaver (England, Bury St Edmunds, 20) – Florida State’s finest and GB&I’s top-ranked player. Beat world No.1 Jackson Koivun at the Arnold Palmer Cup.
Reserve: Caolan Rafferty (Ireland, Dundalk, 32)
Captain: Dean Robertson
The Man in Charge
Robertson, 55, has lived this moment before—from the other side of the ropes. He played in the 1993 Walker Cup, turned pro, won the Italian Open by pipping Pádraig Harrington, and made multiple Open Championship appearances. Today, he’s head of golf at the University of Stirling, coaching the next generation with a glint in his eye and a putter never far from reach.
History Isn’t Kind. But History Doesn’t Play Golf
Let’s not sugar-coat it—the last four Walker Cups haven’t gone well for the lads. The GB&I Walker Cup team fell short in 2023, 2021, 2019, and were steamrolled in 2017. Their last win came at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2015.
The Americans don’t lose much at home, and Cypress Point is as American as it gets: windswept, majestic, and just unforgiving enough to ruin your ego by the sixth hole.
But this GB&I team isn’t here to play the role of polite guests. They’ve battled through final qualifying, hoisted trophies, stared down top seeds, and, in one case, come back from the dead in the WAGR® rankings to earn a spot.
Underdogs? Absolutely. Overmatched? Not necessarily. And at Cypress Point, anything can happen.
Just don’t be surprised if it does.
