New US Amateur champion Jack Whaley is confident his match play experience can help Great Britain and Ireland wrestle back the Walker Cup in Ireland this weekend.

The 22-year-old from Doncaster stunned the sport with his fairytale run to the US Amateur title at Merion a fortnight ago, becoming only the third Englishman in history to lift the coveted prize.

It catapulted him from outside the Walker Cup conversation into being an automatic selection, a player GB&I will pin their hopes on at Lahinch over the next two days.

And Whaley - who will be backed by a vociferous following from his home club of Rotherham - is ready to take on the pressure that comes with his new-found status.

By winning the US Amateur at Merion., Doncaster's Jack Whaley earned automatic selection for this weekend's Walker Cup in Ireland (Picture: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

placeholder image — By winning the US Amateur at Merion., Doncaster's Jack Whaley earned automatic selection for this weekend's Walker Cup in Ireland (Picture: Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

“I've had a lot of experience playing match play,” said Whaley, who won six rounds at Merion and is a veteran of the head-to-head format in Yorkshire and England colours.

“I think the selectors of the Walker Cup kind of saw that and saw me thrive in the match play the other week as I showed my ability to get the job done.

“So I think going into it, I'll provide some points for the team and use my expertise if I need to help a team-mate out or use it for my own behalf and try and get some wins.”

The United States - whose former players include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Jordan Spieth - won 17-9 at Cypress Point last year. In Preston Stout and Tyler Watts they have the two top-ranked players in the world amateur standings and are favourites again.

The format is foursomes on both mornings followed by singles in the afternoon.