Last Updated – 8th September 2025
USGA Team Selection Criteria
The USGA’s International Team Selection Working Group (ITS) selects the U.S.A. team.
Members of the 2025 USGA Executive Committee that currently sit on the ITS Committee include Courtney Myhrum (Chair), Kevin Hammer and Michael McCarthy.
Surprisingly the U.S. Captain does not sit on the Committee and whilst he obviously advises and recommends players that is said to be the extent of his input into the team selection process.
Since 2018 the ITS has adopted a transparent three-stage approach to selecting their 10-man USA Walker Cup team.
This approach was last re-affirmed by the USGA on 17th May 2025:–
1. The top 3 ranked U.S.A. players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) in early summer (mid-June).
[If an automatic selection declines their invitation the spot will be offered to the next highest ranked player on WAGR]
2. Two additional players may be added in late July based on their current form / WAGR.
3. The remaining players will all be announced following the U.S. Amateur Championship on 16th August 2026.
a) The U.S. Amateur champion (if American);
b) The Mark H. McCormack Medal winner – Men’s WAGR No. 1 (if American); and
c) The remaining selections, which will include at least one mid-amateur (25 years and older) player, will be decided by the ITS.
Selection is primarily driven by playing ability, with particular emphasis on USGA Championships, and WAGR. The USGA maintains an unpublished points system to assist the ITS with these selections. The Committee are always keen to point out that integrity, team skills and good sportsmanship are important factors too.
A USA Walker Cup practice session is normally held in Florida in the December prior to each match with an initial squad invited to attend. Inclusion in the practice squad is of course no guarantee of a place in the final team.
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The performance of the reigning U.S. Amateur champion in the Walker Cup has been disappointing over the last 25 years.
Between 1999 and 2025 the U.S. Amateur champions have collectively posted a P37 W12 L18 H7 overall record. Mason Howell (2025) and Bryson DeChambeau (2015) are the last two holders of the Havemeyer Trophy to post winning records – they both were unbeaten going W2 L0 H1 in their matches.
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Mid-Amateur Selection Policy
There is an ongoing debate within the USGA on the role mid-amateurs (over 25’s) should play in the U.S.A. Walker Cup team.
Whilst mid-amateurs have from the outset been selected for USA Walker Cup teams it was 2011 and ’13 captain Jim Holtgrieve that first suggested to the USGA that it may be beneficial for the mid-amateur community to have a clear Walker Cup selection policy and incentive to play.
The USGA accepted this and in 2013 formally committed to including two mid-amateurs in all of their future Walker Cup teams.
However, after disappointing mid-amateur results in the 2013 and 2015 matches and the departure of President Tom O’Toole, it’s main sponsor, the USGA let it be known in April 2017 that they planned to soften this selection policy. The commitment was reduced to one and it was made clear that mid-amateur picks would need to have proven themselves in elite amateur competition during the year of the match.
Since 2017 Stewart Hagestad has successfully competing in five matches with the USA team undoubtedly benefiting from his experience.
The single mid-amateur player commitment is likely to remain in place as this is clearly helpful when it comes to developing the next generation of USA captains. The main challenge the USGA will have moving forward is likely to be finding a mid-amateur that justifies the exclusion of a highly ranked college player.
ME.
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