Luke Clanton, Blades Brown spotlight 16-man U.S. Walker Cup follow session

World No. 1 beginner Luke Clanton was amongst 16 gamers who have been chosen to take part within the upcoming U.S. Walker Cup follow session.

This yr’s session will happen Dec. 14-16 in Jupiter, Florida, as the possible staff members will play rounds at McArthur Golf Membership, The Bear’s Membership and vaunted Seminole Golf Membership whereas additionally attending to know one another and U.S. captain Nathan Smith higher.

Clanton, who this previous summer time posted three top-10s on the PGA Tour following a sophomore season at Florida State through which he gained three tournaments within the spring, is joined by Auburn sophomore Jackson Koivun, who swept the nationwide participant of the yr awards final season (Haskins, Nicklaus and Hogan) and high-schooler Blades Brown, who’s the one junior participant attending the session.

Two mid-amateurs, Evan Beck and four-time Walker Cupper Stewart Hagestad, have been invited. Hagestad and Virginia junior Ben James are the one individuals with previous Walker Cup expertise.

Auburn’s Brendan Valdes and Vanderbilt’s Jackson Van Paris are the one seniors attending, which means every participant doubtless would contemplate delaying their skilled careers ought to they be picked for the staff. Conversely, Vanderbilt senior Gordon Sargent, who has a PGA Tour card ready for him subsequent summer time, shouldn’t be taking part, doubtless indicating he has no plans to not flip professional instantly after the NCAA Championship subsequent Might; identical doubtless goes for top-11 amateurs North Carolina senior David Ford, Arizona State senior Preston Summerhays, Florida senior Ian Gilligan and Illinois senior Jackson Buchanan.

“The beginner golf expertise on this nation is spectacular, and I’m thrilled to assemble with this group for a follow session subsequent month,” mentioned Smith, who was additionally tabbed because the 2026 captain for Lahinch because the Walker Cup transitions to even-numbered years. “Now we have a robust listing of younger males attending; a combination of seasoned veterans in addition to up-and-comers of the sport. I’m excited to spend extra time with this group.”

Being chosen to the session doesn’t assure a participant shall be picked for the 10-man American squad that can compete at Cypress Level subsequent September, nor doesn’t being invited prohibit a participant from receiving a choose subsequent yr.

Right here is the total listing of gamers attending the follow session:

• Evan Beck, 34, of Virginia Seaside, Va. (Wake Forest, class of 2013)
• Parker Bell, 20, of Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida, junior)
• Blades Brown, 17, of Nashville, Tenn. (highschool class of 2026)
• Luke Clanton, 20, of Hialeah, Fla. (Florida State, junior)
• Ethan Fang, 19, of Plano, Texas (Oklahoma State, sophomore)
• Stewart Hagestad, 33, of Newport Seaside, Calif. (USC, class of 2013)
• Max Herendeen, 19, of Bellevue, Wash. (Illinois, sophomore)
• Ben James, 21, of Milford, Conn. (Virginia, junior)
• Noah Kent, 20, of Naples, Fla. (Iowa, sophomore)
• Jackson Koivun, 19, of Chapel Hill, N.C. (Auburn, sophomore)
• Michael La Sasso, 20, of Raleigh, N.C. (Ole Miss, junior)
• Bryan Lee, 20, of Fairfax, Va. (Virginia, junior)
• Tommy Morrison, 20, of Dallas, Texas (Texas, junior)
• Jase Summy, 20, of Keller, Texas (Oklahoma, junior)
• Brendan Valdes, 21, of Orlando, Fla. (Auburn, senior)
• Jackson Van Paris, 21, of Pinehurst, N.C. (Vanderbilt, senior)