Jackson Koivun, the top-ranked men’s player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, headlines a list of 18 players invited to the U.S. Walker Cup practice session.
That list of 18 includes for two high school seniors and two high school juniors.
The Walker Cup is a premier amateur event that pits a 10-member U.S. team against 10 top amateurs from Great Britain and Ireland. Those players will be selected by The R&A from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
When and where is the Walker Cup practice session?
There will be three days of practice, Dec. 18-20, 2025, for the 2026 Walker Cup. Seminole Golf Club, Jupiter Hills Club and McArthur Golf Club, all located in in Jupiter, Florida, will be the practice golf courses.
Walker Cup pratice session invitees for the U.S.
The players are listed alphabetically:
- Evan Beck, 35, Virginia Beach, Virginia (Wake Forest, class of 2013)
- Luke Colton, 18, Frisco, Texas (high school class of 2026)
- Ethan Fang, 20, Plano, Texas (Oklahoma State, junior)
- Josiah Gilbert, 20, Houston (Auburn, junior)
- Stewart Hagestad, 34, Newport Beach, California (USC, class of 2013)
- Max Herendeen, 20, Bellevue, Washington (Illinois, junior)
- Mason Howell, 18, Thomasville, Georgia (high school class of 2026)
- Jackson Koivun, 20, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Auburn, junior)
- Michael La Sasso, 21, Raleigh, North Carolina (Ole Miss, senior)
- Bryan Lee, 21, Fairfax, Virginia (Virginia, senior)
- Bobby Massa, 37, Dallas (Texas Arlington, class of 2010)
- Jacob Modleski, 20, Noblesville, Indiana (Notre Dame, junior)
- Miles Russell, 16, Jacksonville Beach, Florida (high school class of 2027)
- Lance Simpson, 22, Knoxville, Tennessee (Tennessee, senior)
- Preston Stout, 21, Dallas (Oklahoma State, junior)
- Cameron Tankersley, 22, Dickson, Tennessee (Ole Miss, senior)
- Jack Turner, 21, Orlando (Florida, junior)
- Tyler Watts, 18, Huntsville, Alabama (high school class of 2027)
“Coming off an impressive showing at Cypress Point, we’re excited for the opportunity to take another step in the team selection process and continue the momentum for next year’s Match,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “These decorated amateurs represent a talented group of potential team members, but we expect others will also be considered as the selection process moves toward its conclusion.”
The USGA notes that:
An invitation to the Walker Cup practice session does not guarantee selection to the team. Players not invited will also be considered for inclusion on the team.
Who will be the U.S. team captain for the 2026 Walker Cup?
Nathan Smith, who played in three Walker Cups, is the U.S. captain for 2026. Smith won four U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships (2003, 2009, 2010, 2012) as well as the inaugural 2015 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, with partner and 2013 Walker Cup teammate Todd White.
Who leads the Walker Cup all-time?
After the 2025 win by the Americans, the U.S. leads all-time 40-9-1, but, since 1989, the U.S. is 12-7, as the series has grown to be much more competitive.
Where will the 2026 Walker Cup be played?
The 51st playing of the Walker Cup will be at Lahinch Golf Club in Ireland, Sept. 5-6, 2026. The Walker Cup will then be played every two years thereafter in even-numbered years to so as to avoid conflicting with the World Amateur Team Championships.
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