GANTON, England -- Bill Haas and Trip Kuehne combined to win 2 1/2 of a possible three points Saturday for the Americans to give the U.S. a 7-5 lead after the first day of competition at the Walker Cup.
The U.S. trailed Great Britain and Ireland after Saturday morning’s foursomes at Ganton Golf Club, but the Americans stormed the afternoon matches, winning five and halving two of the eight singles matches.
Haas used key wins at the 15th and the 16th to oust British Amateur champion Gary Wolstenholme, 1-up. Haas also teamed with Kuehne in the foursomes and the duo outlasted Wolstenholme and Michael Skelton, 2-and-1.
‘I’m just glad I’m helping the team,’ said the 21-year-old Haas. ‘But, if I go 4-0 and we don’t win the Cup, it will be disappointing.’
Casey Wittenberg did his part for the Americans. Wittenberg, who was the runner-up at the U.S. Amateur, trounced Graham Gordon, 5-and-4.
The Walker Cup Match is a competition featuring a pair of 10-man teams, one representing the U.S. and the other Great Britain and Ireland. There are 24 points available, with one point being rewarded for each win.
The Great Britain and Ireland squad has won the last two championships.
The competition will come to an end on Sunday with four foursome matches and eight singles matches.
Sunday’s Pairings:
At Ganton Golf Club course
Ganton, England
Yardage: 6,894; Par: 71
Foursomes
3:30 a.m. -- Gary Wolstenholme and Oliver Wilson, Britain & Ireland, vs. Bill Haas and Trip Kuehne, United States
3:45 a.m. -- Noel Fox and Colm Moriarty, Britain & Ireland, vs. Brock McKenzie and Matt Hendrix, United States
4:00 a.m. -- Stuart Wilson and David Inglis, Britain & Ireland, vs. Adam Rubinson and Casey Wittenberg, United States
4:15 a.m. -- Nigel Edwards and Stuart Manley, Britain & Ireland, vs. Lee Williams and George Zahringer, United States
Singles
8:25 a.m. -- Oliver Wilson, Britain & Ireland, vs. Bill Haas, United States
8:35 a.m. -- Gary Wolstenholme, Britain & Ireland, vs. Casey Wittenberg, United States
8:45 a.m. -- Michael Skelton, Britain & Ireland, vs. Adam Rubinson, United States
8:55 a.m. -- Colm Moriarty, Britain & Ireland, vs. Brock McKenzie, United States
9:10 a.m. -- Stuart Wilson, Britain & Ireland, vs. Matt Hendrix, United States
9:20 a.m. -- David Inglis, Britain & Ireland, vs. Ryan Moore, United States
9:30 a.m. -- Nigel Edwards, Britain & Ireland, vs. Lee Williams, United States
9:40 a.m. -- Stuart Manley, Britain & Ireland, vs. Trip Kuehne, United States
