Mixed day for Walker Cup hopefuls at US Amateur
Gavin Tiernan watches his tee shot at the fifth hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2026 U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. (Ishika Samant/USGA)
England’s Sam Easterbrook boosted his chances of selection for the Walker Cup at Lahinch but it was a mixed day for the Irish hopefuls in action at the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship in Philadelphia.
Dean Robertson will name his10-man team after the Championship on August 18 and Easterbrook is one of a handful of players seeking selection alongside the already qualified compatriots Tyler Weaver, Luke Poulter and Eliot Baker and Scot Nial Sheils Donegan, who earned spots based on their WAGR ranking alongside Amateur champion Stuart Grehan.
Easterbrook opened with a two-under 68 at Philadelphia Country Club while Baker shot 69 at Merion, where Shiels Donegan was one-under after 17 holes when play was suspended.
“I hope so. Fingers crossed, but we'll see what happens,” World No. 80 Easterbrook said when asked if he’s on the radar for Lahinch. “The selection is out of my hands. I can just do what I can do.”
Of the other 11 Great Britain & Ireland competitors, none were inside the top 64 who will make the cut.
Scotland’s Connor Graham, a likely pick, was 77th after a 71 at Merion, tied on one over with Jack Whaley (71 at Merion), Poulter (71 at Merion) and Ireland’s Matt McClean (71 at Philadelphia).
England’s Zach Little was 119th after a 72 at Merion, while Co Louth’s Gavin Tiernan was 144th after a 73 at Merion.
Jack Bigham was six-over through 17 holes at Merion, tied for 241st with Wales’ Ieuan Jones (76 at Merion).
Grehan was 261st after a 76 at Philadelphia, where Wales’ Mike Hearne shot 81 and England’s Freddie Turnell an 84.
Hong Kong’s William Lisle (17) shot a five-under 65 at Philadelphia CC to share the 18-hole lead with Germany’s Finn Koelle (21), who got to six under par, before he bogeyed Merion’s iconic 18th hole.
The top 64 will qualify for the matchplay and should a playoff be necessary to determine the final spots, it will take place Wednesday morning starting on Hole 13 of Merion and playing the course routing until the spots are filled.
Some notable names who struggled in round one include defending champion Mason Howell (74 at Merion). World No. 1 Preston Stout shot 75 at Merion. Ethan Fang and 2026 US. Open co-low amateur Ryder Cowan each shot 74 at Philadelphia C.C.
Each of the 312 competitors received a mini wicker-basket flagstick as part of the player gift from the host club.
