One down going into the final day's play, a team powered by Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey, Luke Donald and Nick Dougherty turned things around with a 3-1 win in the morning foursomes before going on to beat the Americans 15-9, the same margin as in 1999.

America dominated amateur golf's premier competition for decades. Indeed, it was not until the 10th Walker Cup in 1938 that a Great Britain and Ireland team captained by John B Beck took their first title at St Andrews.

Further wins in 1971 and 1989 provided only a brief respite for a competition that constantly seemed to be draped in stars and stripes.

The 1995 match at Portcawl proved something of a watershed when a Clive Brown-captained side defeated a Tiger Woodspowered US team. It was also the year Padraig Harrington played in his last Walker Cup. A devestating 18-6 defeat brought the US back to the fore in 1997 but since then it's been Great Britain and Ireland who have held the upper hand. McEvoy captained winning teams in '99 and '01 before Garth McGimpsey took over the mantle for the historic three-in-a-row win at Ganton in 2003. The US took their 32rd title in 2005 but the locals will be looking to confirm their dominance when hostilitles are renewed next month.