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Great Britain and Ireland captain Craig Walker to miss Walker Cup

By PA Sport

Wednesday 30 August 2017 14:12, UK

LYTHAM ST ANNES, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: The Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Team celebrate their victory with the trophy during day two the 2015 Wal
Image: Great Britain and Ireland won the 2015 Walker Cup

Craig Watson will not captain Great Britain and Ireland in next week's Walker Cup against the United States due to a serious illness in his immediate family.

In Watson's absence, chairman of selectors Andrew Ingram will take over as acting captain of the 10-man side seeking to retain the trophy at Los Angeles Country Club from September 9-10.

Watson defeated future Masters champion Trevor Immelman to win the Amateur Championship at Royal St George's in 1997 and played in the Walker Cup defeat at Quaker Ridge later that year.

England's amateur golfer Alfie Plant watches his iron shot from the 4th tee during a practice round at Royal Birkdale golf course near Southport in north w
Image: Alfie Plant is among the players featuring for the GB and Ireland team

Nigel Edwards captained Great Britain and Ireland to a record seven-point victory at Royal Lytham in 2015, but their last win on American soil came back in 2001.

Ingram captained the victorious European Junior Ryder Cup team in Ohio in 2004 and also at Celtic Manor in 2006, where the home side retained the trophy after a 6-6 tie.

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The 57-year-old became chairman of the R&A men's selection committee in 2014 and has been chairman of the teams and performance committee at the Golf Union of Wales for more than a decade.

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Watch the Walker Cup live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage begins on Saturday September 9 from 5pm.

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