19 | July | 2011 | GoFer Eats

2007 and 2009 Walker Cup Drafts

My Desk, Office — The United States has had a stranglehold on the Walker Cup since 2005. In the last two matches, Team USA produced a nail-biting victory on their opponents’ soil (’07), and a thorough whacking of Team Great Britain & Ireland at Merion Golf Club (’09). Some of the best amateurs in the world are pitted against each other in a two-day event. Much like postseason tournaments in other collegiate sports, it’s an early proving ground for future touring pros. Some flame out, while others can evolve into transcendental figures.

If we could go back in time–and professional golf was a team sport–here’s who I’d select with the top-5 picks in each respective “draft class”, 2007 and 2009.

2009 WC Draft

This crop of players certainly needs time to mature and refine their games, but have the promise to raise trophies across the world. Most of these guys are developmental projects, with the exception of one fresh-out-of-the-oven star.

1. Rickie Fowler (USA)

This should come as no surprise. Fowler was, and currently is, the most polished player of his class. Comparable pick to Memphis’ Derrick Rose in the 2008 NBA Draft. He was the No. 1 ranked amateur in 2009, and shortly turned pro after the Walker Cup. Fowler was the PGA Tour’s 2010 Rookie of the Year. In 2011, he has turned heads with more airtime on Sunday afternoon. He has three top tens, including a T-5 at this year’s British Open.

2. Bud Cauley (USA)

Cauley turned pro this year right before the U.S. Open. The cocksure Crimson Tide alum would go on to finish in a T-63. But wait, there’s more. In case you were too busy watching the British Open, Cauley was playing his way into a T-4 at the week’s minor-league event, the Viking Classic. It was enough to land an entry into this week’s RBC Canadian Open.

3. Peter Uihlein (USA)

Let’s just hope that Uihlein doesn’t adapt an all-orange get-up on Sundays like his fellow Oklahoma State companion Rickie Fowler. Uihlein won the 2010 U.S. Amateur and continues to improve his game. He finished in a T-48 at this year’s British Open, and will most likely turn pro if he continues to see progress.

4. Cameron Tringale (USA)

A three-time NCAA All-American at Georgia Tech, Tringale was a snug fit for an accomplished 2009 team. At the PGA Tour’s most vile test of emotion and resiliency–Q School–Tringale secured his card for the 2010 season. Then, he did it all over again for 2011. This season, a more experienced player has emerged, and Tringale has a trifecta of top three’s.

5. Tommy Fleetwood (GB&I)

Fleetwood hasn’t reached a level of confidence in his game like the others on this list, but is a gritty, determined player. He has kicked it around on various starter tours for a while now, but still couldn’t buy a beer in the States if he wanted to. The 20-year-old will have plenty of opportunities in his career.

2007 WC Draft

Hindsight is certainly 20/20. If you attended this Walker Cup, you were able to witness some of the most publicized, enviable players of 2011. The average player age was 22.55, putting many of these players around 26 today. Prime age to reach a player’s potential.

*Disclaimer: We can assume that Rickie Fowler didn’t “come out” until the 2009 draft, making him unavailable for the 2007 draft.

1. Rory McIlroy(GB&I)

We all know McIlroy’s story by now. He’s the reigning U.S. Open champion, and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. Immensely talented worldwide superstar. Similar pick to the 2003 NBA Draft. LeBron James was the clear game-changing athlete, but 3 of the other top 5 picks are also highly regarded (Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade).

2. Dustin Johnson (USA)

This Coastal Carolina project continues to be a frontrunner in major championships. He’s got a powerful descending blow on his golf swing, which generates a tremendous amount of power. Sunday debacles at the 2010 U.S. Open, PGA Championship and 2011 British Open have prevented Johnson from being in the same league as McIlroy. Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing them go head-to-head in a final round.

3. David Horsey (GBI)

The Englishman isn’t well-known here in the States, but he has two prized European Tour wins to his credit. Most notably the 2010 BMW International Open, an event with a very strong field. If he sharpens his game in the majors, look out.

4. Webb Simpson (USA)

Drops to fourth only because he hasn’t earned a professional win yet. This year, he lost in a playoff to Bubba Watson in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The 25-year-old is poised for a breakout season, and has 5 top tens in 2011. He has two top-20 finishes in majors this year.

5. Kyle Stanley (USA)

The 23-year-old Clemson product may one day be a household name. However, he is still among the relatively unknown regulars on tour. Stanley finished runner-up at the John Deere and in a T-12 at Bay Hill. His steadiness around the greens, and recent success, vault him to the No. 5 pick.

Other notables: Jamie Lovemark (2010 Nationwide Tour money leader), Trip Kuehne, Chris Kirk (2011 Viking Classic champ), Rhys Davies (European Tour winner)