Pre-Porter Cup Team USA Walker Cup Update (July 2011)-see addendum at bottom

Back a bit, I tossed some names as certain Walker Cup selection. The five names were Patrick Cantlay, Peter Uihlein, Nathan Smith, David Chung and Russell Henley. Those five still stand as autos in my view and I’m ready to add three more names to the list.

To begin, Jordan Spieth. He just won his 2nd USGA Junior in 3 years. He seems to intimidate in a match play forum (USGA likes this) and he has had success at adult events (USGA likes this.) I’d like to see him make an 11th hour flight to Niagara Falls and play in the Porter Cup, but we’ll see enough of him at the Western and US Amateurs to know if he is the right guy. I think that he needs to make match play in both or win at least two matches in one, to secure his spot. The other factor in his favor is his age…even if he pulls a Fowler and goes pro after his sophomore year of college, the USGA would still have his services at Royal Aberdeen (2011) and National Golf Links of America (2013) in the Walker Cup.

Harris English and John Peterson. These two guys are currently 2 and 1, respectively, at the Nationwide event in Columbus, Ohio. Peterson won the NCAA title in May and English won the Southern Amateur last week. Both guys have excelled in a year when others have not and both guys seem to be well-liked by their peers. In addition, this duo did what others (Kevin Tway, Patrick Reed, Morgan Hoffman, Bud Cauley) did not, which is show their dedication to amateur golf by NOT turning pro after the US Open.

Who else might be in the running? I like Bank Vongvanij from UFlorida, a high school chum of Peter Uihlein. I also look for a mystery man (Corbin Mills?) to reveal himself (in a golf way) over the next six weeks. Stay tuned for updates.

WRITER’S NOTE: 2:57 PM-SUNDAY 07/24/2011~HARRIS ENGLISH JUST BIRDIED THE 72ND HOLE AT NATIONWIDE EVENT IN COLUMBUS TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT. JOHN PETERSON BOGIED IT TO TIE FOR 2ND. I SUSPECT THAT BOTH GUYS JUST LOCKED SPOTS UP ON THE WALKER CUP TEAM.