Augenstein helps U.S. win Walker Cup

September 8, 2019 | 8:24 pm

Updated September 8, 2019 | 8:24 pm

Photo from United State Golf Association

HOYLAKE, England – Vanderbilt senior John Augenstein once again showed his match-play prowess on Sunday at the 47th Walker Cup, clinching the match for the United States at Royal Liverpool with his 4 and 3 win over Thomas Plumb.

Augenstein, the 2019 U.S. Amateur runner-up, was one of only four American players to play in all four of the matches. The former Owensboro Catholic graduate posted a record of 2-1-1 at the competition over the weekend.

He had a bookend performance of hitting the opening tee shot of competition on Saturday morning and then clinching the American victory when he won his Sunday afternoon singles match.

“I did not know that my match this afternoon was the clinching point,” Augenstein said. “I mean, it really doesn’t matter who clinches it. The fact is that we’re a team and we won the Walker Cup for each other and for the United States and whoever else that we’re representing.”

Augenstein halved his foursomes match Sunday morning while playing alongside U.S. Amateur champion Andy Ogletree. Augenstein won his Saturday singles match 2 and 1 against Conor Purcell, and he dropped his opening foursomes match with Ogletree 2 and 1 to Purcell and Alex Fitzpatrick.

“We are all so proud of John,” said Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh. “This is a great day for that team and they certainly showed a lot of resilience in how they competed today. I am proud of how he represented his country, Vanderbilt University and our golf family.”

The United States trailed 7-5 entering the morning foursomes competition on Sunday. They earned 2½ of the four available points in foursomes and dominated singles play in the afternoon, winning eight of the possible 10 points to take the match 15½ to 10½.

The American win was the first on European soil since 2007, and it was the most decisive victory margin for a visiting U.S. team since 1987. The U.S. retains the trophy after their 19-7 win at Los Angeles Country Club two years ago and now leads the overall series 37-9-1.

Information compiled from Vanderbilt University and USGA press releases.

September 8, 2019 | 8:24 pm

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