Gribben secures vital point in record victory

Yesterday, on the banks of the Moray Firth, one of the most inaccessible but beautiful parts of northern Scotland, a strange thing happened: the best amateur golfers the United States could muster got whipped by six Englishmen, three Scots and an lone Irishman.

But Paddy Gribben's role in Britain and Ireland's record 15-9 win over the Americans - only the fifth time in 37 matches that such an outcome has been achieved in the Walker Cup - was vital. For someone who, as a child, was within minutes of having his leg amputated, Gribben's indomitable spirit was once again apparent as he secured the vital point which ensured overall victory for the home team.

"I have played a lot of golf, but I don't feel tired at all, neither physically nor mentally," said an elated Gribben, who now intends to take a second chance in the professional ranks. He will pursue that ambition by taking part in the European Tour Pre-qualify I stage in England tomorrow.

Yet, participating in a Walker Cup was, he said, "like a dream come true".

"It's only about two years ago that I felt I could play in a Walker Cup, and I put everything I had into achieving that goal. I knuckled down, changed my lifestyle and, with my wife, Anne, fully supporting me, I have achieved something special."

Indeed, Britain and Ireland's win was all the more remarkable for the emphatic nature in which it was achieved. Trailing after Saturday's first day, they took 10 out of the 12 available points from yesterday's foursomes and singles.

And the captaincy of Peter McEvoy - who will stay in the job for the defence of the cup at Ocean Forest in South Carolina in 2001 - was praised unanimously by his players.

"Peter's powers of motivation were unbelieveable," said Gribben. His thoughts were echoed by Paul Casey - one of two players, along with fellow-Englishman Luke Donald, to win four out of four matches. "Peter is just a great captain, a great motivator and someone who gets you into the right frame of mind all the time," said Casey.

McEvoy, a veteran of five Walker Cup campaigns, claimed it was "the proudest moment of my golfing life" but added that the role of captain was "overstated". "The players were the guys who had to go out and hole the putts," he said. "I said they were the best ever team, and I have been proved right in that assessment."