The 1995 Walker Cup holds a significant place in golf’s history as it saw the only appearance in the event for Tiger Woods.
The golfing world was already well aware of the hype surrounding Tiger Woods when the 1995 Walker Cup arrived. He had finished as the low amateur at The Masters earlier that year, having posted three level par rounds that week at Augusta National.
Along with Woods, the US side which travelled to Royal Porthcawl 30 years ago included Notah Begay III and Chris Riley. Riley would win a point alongside Woods at the 2004 Ryder Cup.
The Great Britain and Ireland side meanwhile included future three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, as well as David Howell and Stephen Gallacher – with both men featuring in the Ryder Cup later in their careers.
But it was another player who managed to beat Woods 1 up in the Saturday afternoon singles in Wales.
The golfer who beat Tiger Woods in a singles match at the 1995 Walker Cup
USA had won the opening session 2.5-1.5. Woods emerged victorious in the top match alongside John Harris.
Harris would prove to be one of the two Americans who would win during the session of eight singles matches in the afternoon. Elsewhere, Harrington and Gallacher were among those who delivered points for the home side.
In the bottom game, Woods was up against Gary Wolstenholme, a 35-year-old Englishman making his first appearance in the event.
And speaking to National Club Golfer in 2024, Wolstenholme explained what the experience of facing golf’s boy wonder really was like, as he also outlined the big difference in their playing styles.
“His father made him into who he became. He was an animal, a monster, what he could do on the golf course no other players could ever do because he was exceptional,” he said.
“That was a recurring theme [the distance gap] pretty much all the way through,” he added. “At times, he was 100 yards past me. The fact is it had been such a nip and tuck match from the very beginning.
“It was a brilliant match that was right on a knife edge from start to finish. He could drive the first hole with an iron, I hit a five wood off the tee and wedged it on, we both made birdie.”
Despite giving up a significant amount of distance, Wolstenholme was able to use his experience to secure a 1 up victory. The result gave Great Britain and Ireland a two-point advantage heading into the second day.
Woods and Harris would lose to Harrington and Jody Fanagan on Sunday morning. However, the 15-time major champion would get a little revenge in the afternoon as he beat Wolstenholme 4&3.
It was not enough for the US side however. Great Britain and Ireland won on home soil for the first time since 1971 – more than four years before Woods was even born.
What happened to Gary Wolstenholme after the 1995 Walker Cup
Of course, Woods would become a major champion within two years of his Walker Cup debut. He would make his Ryder Cup bow later on in 1997.
Wolstenholme meanwhile would remain an amateur for more than a decade after 1995, playing in five more Walker Cups.
He made five appearances in the major championships during his career, with two starts each in both The Masters and The Open Championship. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the cut in any of his major appearances.
His final major start came at the 2008 US Open, as he turned professional shortly afterwards as he looked ahead to playing on the senior tour. He went on to win three times in Europe.
That tournament at Torrey Pines meanwhile would famously end with Woods clinching his 14th major title after playing 91 holes with essentially a broken leg.
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