The United States reclaimed the Walker Cup amateur golf trophy in dramatic style today, edging Great Britain and Ireland 12 1/2-11-1/2 at Chicago Golf Club.
American Jeff Overton's 1-up victory over Nigel Edwards sealed the victory after Britain and Ireland halved two matches and won a third at the 18th hole to keep alive their hopes of a fourth straight title.
Britain's Oliver Fisher, 16, holed an 18-foot birdie putt to halve his match with Michael Putnam, and Robert Dinwiddie chipped in for birdie from 30 feet to halve his contest with Matt Every.
Lloyd Saltman of Britain holed out a 20-footer for birdie to beat Kyle Reifers 1-up.
But Overton, who lost the first three holes of his match with 37-year-old Edwards, rallied to take a 1-up lead at the turn, then took the lead for good at 14 before holding off the three-time Walker Cup player.
The United States started the day leading 6 1/2-5 1/2 after Saturday's matches.
The two countries split Sunday's four foursomes matches, and were deadlocked at 10 1/2 points apiece with three of the day's eight singles matches to finish.
American Lee Williams handed Gary Lockerbie a 4-and-3 defeat before Saltman edged Reifers, then Overton's victory gave the United States the title for the first time since 1997, ending a run of three straight victories in the biennial event for Britain and Ireland.
