GB&I Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson confident ahead of Lahinch match against USA

Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup captain Dean Robertson smiled at the blustery conditions at Lahinch for the final day's practice before this weekend's match, saying: "I'm very happy about it."

Robertson hopes the winds blowing across the west of Ireland can sweep in a rare victory for the home side, who are looking to beat America's top amateur golfers for the first time in more than a decade.

GB&I last won the trophy at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2015 and have been boosted by the news that their top player Tyler Weaver is fit to compete this weekend.

Asked if he is ready to play all four sessions on Saturday and Sunday, the amateur game's world number three said: "I believe so, yeah."

Weaver, who has not competed since April because of an oblique injury, added: "I'm just ready to get going now. I feel really excited and the body feels great. Yeah, it's been good."

The United States team has been hit with a stomach bug with three players, including world number one Preston Stout, missing Thursday's Walker Cup dinner.

William Jennings and Ethan Fang were the others affected and US captain Nathan Smith said first reserve Max Herendeen had been put on standby before deciding he would not make the journey from America.

"Just a quick bug for them, and they feel great," he said. "And they were bouncing around today and they felt better than I think they've said they've felt in a while."

"I think it was great to get them an extra day of rest even though they were maybe feeling a little bit under the weather."

Speaking of weather, strong winds buffeted the County Clare links as both sides completed their preparations.

Similar conditions are expected for match which comprises morning foursome contests and afternoon singles on Saturday and Sunday.

"It could be strong throughout the weekend, but it's perfectly playable," said Robertson. "You have to adapt. You have to improvise."

"You have to be able to control the ball flight in these very difficult conditions, and it's exceptionally tiring to play in these conditions, but we are good to go."

Tough weather is expected to favour the home side, many of whom grew up competing in links conditions likely to prevail at Lahinch.

In preparation, Robertson set up short game tests for his players in final practice. "In high winds the short game becomes really challenging," he said.

"And we gave them exceptionally challenging short game shots to play in over the last four holes to not only demonstrate their skills but have a little bit of fun too."

Sell-out crowds will support a team that includes Luke Poulter, son of Ryder Cup hero Ian as well as Jack Whaley, the Doncaster golfer who won the recent US Amateur title, and Amateur champion Stuart Grehan - the lone Irishman in the home line-up.

It is the first time since 2013 that GB & I have fielded the winners of the two most prestigious events on the amateur calendar.

"We are pumped to have the Amateur champions in the GB&I roster," Robertson said.

"Irrespective of the fact that the Irish are not represented more than Stuart, that won't hold the fans back. They are the best support, and they are an 11th man."