Stirling's Dean Robertson captains Great Britain and Ireland to historic Walker Cup win
GB&I defied the odds and mounted the biggest comeback in tournament history
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University of Stirling Head of Golf Dean Robertson captained Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) to a history-making first Walker Cup success in 11 years.
The Walker Cup is the premier team match in men’s amateur golf – pitting GB&I’s leading players against their counterparts from the United States – and is typically contested biennially.
However, with the competition moving to even-numbered years, Dean – who captained the team on American soil last summer – had the unique opportunity to lead the side in consecutive years.
In front of a sold-out crowd at Lahinch Golf Club along the Atlantic coastline of County Clare, the USA looked to continue their recent dominance after sweeping the morning foursomes to move just three-and-a-half points away from a sixth consecutive victory.
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Josh Hill of Great Britain & Ireland celebrates holing the winning putt for victory during the Sunday Singles on Day Two of the Walker Cup at Lahinch Golf Club on September 6, 2026 in Lahinch, County Clare. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images).
However, GB&I defied the odds and mounted the biggest comeback in tournament history – picking up seven of the 10 points in the singles to clinch victory 13.5-12.5, with Josh Hill winning the 18th hole of his match with Tyler Watts to secure a first success since 2015 in the most dramatic of styles.
An emotional Dean said: “We are so elated. We're hardly able to put it into words. There's a lot of emotion, a lot of happy tears. But pride is the word I would use to describe this.
“There was most definitely a belief in the players and even though we were swept 4-0 on Sunday morning, there wasn't any despondency. The American team was outstanding, and the quality of the golf was sensational.
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Head of Golf, University of Stirling, and Great Britain and Ireland captain at the Walker Cup
We are so elated. We're hardly able to put it into words. There's a lot of emotion, a lot of happy tears. But pride is the word I would use to describe this. The boys have delivered and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
“When we came in at lunch time I had to change the order and we had to bring some energy so that we could feed off that. The boys have delivered and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them."
David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “Congratulations to Dean and his team on an incredible and historic Walker Cup triumph. The atmosphere around the course and the drama of the comeback was something I've rarely experienced in sport. To secure the title for the first time since 2015 is an outstanding achievement, and to do so in such dramatic fashion makes it even more remarkable.
“We are immensely proud of everything Dean has accomplished, and it is fantastic to see his meticulous planning and preparation bear fruit. He fully deserves the recognition and plaudits coming his way, and we look forward to giving him a rapturous reception when he returns to campus.”
Dean’s GB&I team comprised: Eliot Baker, Ben Bolton, Sam Easterbrook, Connor Graham, Stuart Grehan, Josh Hill, Luke Poulter, Niall Sheils Donegan, Tyler Weaver and Jack Whaley.
The United States team, captained by Nathan Smith, was made up of: Preston Stout, Tyler Watts, Ethan Fang, Miles Russell, Kihei Akina, Ryder Cowan, Josiah Gilbert, William Jennings, Stewart Hagestad and Jay Leng Jr.
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Great Britain & Ireland Captain Dean Robertson and players celebrate with the trophy following their victory during the Sunday Singles on Day Two of the Walker Cup at Lahinch Golf Club on September 6, 2026 in Lahinch, County Clare. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images).
Dean Robertson
Dean Robertson has led the high-performance golf programme at Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – since 2010. During his tenure, he has developed some of the country’s most promising golfing talent. In recent years, highlights have included scholars Lorna McClymont and Louise Duncan joining the professional Ladies European Tour.
Scholars have also enjoyed international success under Dean’s leadership – being selected for major team competitions, including the Arnold Palmer Cup, Curtis Cup and Vagliano Trophy; competing in competitions across Europe and the United States. Notably, in 2009, Dean was Head Coach of the Arnold Palmer Cup Team. Graduates of the University programme have also competed in the Walker Cup: Colin Dalgleish, Gordon Sherry, Richie Ramsay, Gavin Dear, Jack McDonald and Cormac Sharvin.
As an amateur player he won the Scottish Youths Amateur Open Championship in 1991, the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 1992, and the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993. He competed at the 1993 Walker Cup, at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, where he won his singles match against Jay Sigel – but, in a one-sided affair, GB&I lost the competition 19-5.
As a professional, Dean won the European Tour’s Italian Open in 1999 and the Scottish PGA Championship in 2006. He also competed in The Open Championship on four occasions, with his best finish being tied 26th at St Andrews in 2000.
Excellence
The University of Stirling is UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide) and Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.
At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include golf, tennis, triathlon, football, swimming, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.
Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.
