Irish snub disappoints Walker captain

BRITAIN and Ireland Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards is far from pleased with a decision by the Golfing Union of Ireland not to nominate four players for the Links Trophy, which begins at St Andrews today.

Portstewart’s Paul Cutler is the only Irish amateur competing in the prestigious event being held over the Old and New courses.

The GUI elected not to take up the option of nominating four players because of this week’s East of Ireland at Baltray.

“We have been in constant contact with the GUI but they just were not interested in sending any representatives,” said a Links Trust spokesperson.

“We understand the East of Ireland is also taking place this week but then the Links Trophy carries more amateur world ranking points and is a little more prestigious in stature.

“Also Nigel Edwards, the GB & I Walker Cup captain is present all week, and while he’s not happy with the GUI decision, you would think that if anyone is to impress him then it better he does that here at St Andrews rather than in the East of Ireland.

“So it’s a very strange decision on the part of the GUI.”

Cutler will attempting to go one better than Rory McIlroy this week at the home of golf. The Links Trophy was one of the few major amateur titles to escape McIlroy, and it’s meant Cutler forgoing Baltra.

Last fortnight, Cutler became the first player since McIlroy in 2005 to capture both the Irish Close and West of Ireland titles, all but sealing his place in September’s Walker Cup side.

“It’s been great to get my name on the same trophies that Rory’s won but I’m looking forward to hopefully going one up on him this week,” said Cutler after yesterday playing the Old Course for the very first time.