Playing away from home is never easy. But doing so in 60 mph gusts with a stomach bug in your camp makes it considerably harder.
The US Walker Cup team teed it during Friday’s final practice session in a seven-ball, with three of the team still in their hotel room. Preston Stout, William Jennings and Ethan Fang are battling what is believed to be a stomach bug; all three missed the banquet dinner at Lahinch Golf Club last night.
“They were feeling a little under the weather,” said Nathan Smith, captain of the US side, when asked about his players health on Friday. “It’s tough. You take that red eye, the travel, the time change, the food and everything. But they all feel great, and I think we’re all glad it happened a day or two ago, and should be good for the weekend.”
US captain Nathan Smith says all 10 of his players will be available for Saturday’s first day of play, but he has reached out to the team’s first alternate to be on standby should the situation change.
Warren Little
Fang did eventually make it out to the course for some limited practice. But with players not feeling well, the situation has evoked memories of the 2021 Walker Cup at Seminole, when members of both teams and staff were struck down by an illness.
That year, given the number of players impacted—14 of 24 players, including alternates, as well as both captains—officials modified the rules of the competition so that if players were unable to compete, the captains could use the two reserves that were present at the venue. The original players could then be used in later matches when they became healthy. Mac Meissner, the first American alternate, and Jake Bolton, the first reserve for the Great Britain and Ireland team were used in the morning foursomes on Saturday.
Ethan Fang missed practice rounds on Thursday and early Friday before joining his teammates later in the day. He’s one of three Americans returning from the team that won the Walker Cup at Cypress Point last year.
Ross Parker/R&A
Smith did confirm that he had reached out to the U.S. team’s first alternate, Max Herendeen, saying that he was on standby to fly overnight to Ireland. However, he doesn’t expect that Herendeen will be needed, stating that all 10 players will be available for select Saturday.
While available, just what kind of playing shape they might be in is another matter as the U.S. team aims to win the Walker Cup for the sixth consecutive time. Stout, Jennings and Fang are all currently ranked inside the top 10 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Along with Stewart Hagestad, Stout and Fang are the only other Americans with Walker Cup experience, having both played at Cypress Point last year. Having them at less than 100 percent is not ideal for the visitors.
As for the home team, there appears to be no issues in the Great Britain and Ireland team room, with all players out early and practicing at Lahinch on Friday.
The American side played as a seven-some during Friday’s final day of practice at Lahinch.
Ross Parker/R&A
One local out walking the fairways did suggest a cure for any illness a player might have this week.
“We have a drink here that’s full of iron. It’s black and sold in every pub on the high street!”
