Great Britain, Ireland win back Walker Cup from Unites States

Lytham St Annes: Englishman Jimmy Mullen helped lead Great Britain and Ireland to a comfortable victory over the United States as they regained the Walker Cup on Sunday at Royal Lytham.

The 21-year-old from Devon became the first player to post a perfect 4-0 record at the event since Paul Casey and Luke Donald in 1999 at Nairn.

The home side were in a strong position after the morning foursomes as they carried a 10-6 lead into the afternoon singles and they finished the job by taking the necessary three-and-a-half points during the first four matches.

Victories by Ashley Chesters, Cormac Sharvin, Mullen and a half from Paul Dunne sealed a fifth win in six competitions on home soil for Britain and Ireland.

Captain Nigel Edwards was evidently delighted his team wrapped up the victory in short fashion: "Gosh. It`s great," the 47-year-old Welshman said. "At Royal Aberdeen (in 2011) we were up against it until the death but the boys at the top of the order went out fast as we needed them to do."

Mullen, who had picked up two of his wins alongside Chesters in the foursomes, defeated Denny McCarthy in the all-amateur tournament and said it was a team effort.

"It did not matter as long as the team won, but to win all my matches is the icing on the cake."

Dunne was also pivotal as the Irishman, who caused a sensation when he led the British Open in July after three rounds, only dropped half a point over the weekend at the biennial contest.

"I will take winning over 30th place every day. It`s so much better to do it as a team. Nigel has been a fantastic captain and inspired us from start to finish." said Dunne.