American golfer Justin Thomas congratulated Great Britain and Ireland for shocking Team USA to win the Walker Cup, and believes that the game is in great hands after a thrilling weekend.
GB&I completed the greatest comeback in Walker Cup history on Sunday after trailing 4-0 in the morning’s foursomes session, as brutal conditions added more uncertainty to the result. Team USA was stunned by a momentous comeback, handing GB&I the title for the first time since 2015.
Thomas watched from afar during a rare weekend away from the course, though he has been selected to represent the U.S. in the Presidents Cup. The veteran still spent his weekend watching the action and posted on social media after the dramatic finale. It comes after Vanessa Trump hit Tiger Woods with a deal-breaker in a foul-mouthed ultimatum.
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“What a scene at @WalkerCup,” Thomas wrote on X. “Team events never disappoint. Bummed for Nathan (Smith, Team USA’s captain) and the US squad for the finish, congrats to GBI!
“I really enjoyed watching the last 2 days. Golf is in great hands for these kids (feels weird to say that) and their games.”
GB&I ended up beating Team USA 13.5-12.5 to win the Walker Cup on home soil, battling the rain and heavy winds. Spectators struggled to keep hold of their umbrellas and hats, with wind speeds averaging between 18 and 22 MPH, though gusts up to 35 MPH were expected.
Josh Hill of GB&I still managed to produce a stunning bunker shot on the 18th to beat Tyler Watts and clinch victory, leading to wild celebrations. “I have a lot of confidence in my bunker game anyway, but I don’t really know how I handled myself for that three-foot-hour shake, and then I’m just glad it went in, to be honest, because this is absolutely unbelievable,” Hill said.
“I think we got in, obviously; it was a bad morning, and we got into the team room and started playing some music. We were still hyped up, we still felt we can go out and win and yeah we had that belief to go and win and we went and did it and it’s going to be a great night.”
Also on Team GB&I was Luke Poulter, the 22-year-old son of veteran golfer Ian Poulter, and his father was in Lahinch to watch the action unfold. Poulter was emotional when seeing his son and the rest of the team triumph.
“Absolutely thrilling. As a dad, as a fan, as someone who loves golf and has been part of golf, that was truly special to see the boys come up 17 and 18,” Poulter said. “And, you know, for Josh literally to have that last putt on the last hole to literally clinch it was epic.
Team GB&I celebrates an unlikely comeback against Team USA at the Walker Cup -Credit:2026 Getty Images
“And, you know, all the guys that had to come up 18, that had to get something out of the hole and, you know, Elliot and all of the boys and Connor, you know, they’d done such a special job, and it was great to observe and, you know, watch the lads really get that special moment.”
Now that the Walker Cup has been completed, the Presidents Cup between Team USA and the International Team will take place at the Medinah Country Club from Sept. 24-27. U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker selected Thomas for his team.
Thomas will next compete in the inaugural Biltmore Championship, which is scheduled for Sept. 17-20 at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville. The participation allows Thomas to prepare with a competitive event one week before the Presidents Cup.
It comes as Woods made a surprising public appearance just days after receiving a driving ban in the DUI verdict.