Walker Cup Golf Matches : Verplank and Sigel Score Victories, but U.S., Britain Tie on First Day

Scott Verplank and team captain Jay Sigel scored singles victories and combined to win a foursome match as the United States was tied, 6-6, with a team from England, Scotland and Ireland after the first day of the 30th Walker Cup Wednesday.

The British, seeking their first Walker Cup title since 1971, had taken a 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 lead after the morning foursome matches, playing extremely well in the constant rain that drenched the Pine Valley Golf Club in southern New Jersey.

But the rain subsided for the eight afternoon singles matches, and the U.S. players started performing better, taking 4 1/2 points to 3 1/2 for the British.

The final 12 matches, four foursome and eight singles, will be played today.

Verplank, who recently became the first amateur since 1953 to win a PGA Tour tournament, defeated Garth McGimpsey of Northern Ireland, 2 and 1, in a battle of the American and British Amateur champions.

That victory came just minutes after Sigel defeated Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, 5 and 4. Sigel was four under par when the match ended on the 14th hole.

Earlier in the morning, Verplank and Sigel had combined to defeat Montgomerie and George Macgregor, 1 up.

Southern Californians Sam Randolph of Santa Barbara and Duffy Waldorf of Tarzana scored the other American singles victories. Randolph defeated Paul Mayo of Wales, 5 and 4, and Waldorf downed David Gilford of England, 4 and 2. American Randy Sonnier and Briton John Hawksworth halved their singles match.

Peter McEvoy of England was the star for the British team on the opening day. He combined with Peter Baker to win a foursome match and then posted a 2-and-1 victory over Bob Lewis in the afternoon singles.

The British team has won only twice in 29 previous Walker Cups. The United States has won 26 times and tied once.