The Walker Cup happens every two years (it's a biennial event), pitting 10-player teams representing the United States and Great Britain & Ireland against each other in 26 matches over two days to determine a winner.
How Walker Cup teams are picked
Each team is headed by an appointed captain, with the USA selecting the United States captain (Nathan Smith) and the R&A picking the GB&I captain (Dean Robertson in 2025). The host team alternates each match, as well, with the matches played in even-numbered years -- with the switch made after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two teams are determined by qualifying systems created by the captains and co-owning organizations, but the representative organizations ultimately pick the players.
These teams are typically picked based on standing in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, as well as finalists of the US Amateur and/or the Amateur Championship.
Walker Cup format, matches, points and rules
During the week of the Walker Cup, the matches are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with 26 matches altogether. If either team earns at least 13.5 points, they win the Walker Cup. If the team who last won the Walker Cup earns 13 points, then they retain the trophy.
On the first day, a total of 12 matches are played over two sessions featuring two different types of two-man match-play matches: a four-match session of foursomes (alternate shot) and an eight-match session of singles.
On the second day, a total of 14 matches are played over two sessions featuring two different types of two-man match-play matches: a four-match session of foursomes (alternate shot) and a 10-match session of singles.
In each of those days, there will be one four-match session of what's called foursomes.
Foursomes is also called alternate shot. On each hole, one player (Player A) from each team hits their team's respective tee shots. Then the other player (Player B) from each team hits the second shot. Then the third shot is hit by Player A, and so on, until the ball is holed. The teams compare scores, and the team with the lower score wins the hole. Whichever team wins the most holes wins a full point. If the match is even after 18 holes, then the match is halved and each team earns 0.5 points.
Neither side is required to player at any time. They can be excluded from all four sessions or they can play in all four sessions, or anywhere in between. All of the teams are blindly submitted before the session starts, slotted by match position.
In the final day singles session, a total of 10 matches are played in one session. All 10 players from each side are submitted before play, slotted by match position. It's classic match play, with the player winning the most holes winning the match and a full point. If the match is even after 18 holes, then the match is halved and each team earns 0.5 points.
