WHEATON, Ill. - Jeff Overton was conceded a short par putt on the 18th hole Sunday to give him a 1-up win over Nigel Edwards, as the United States captured the Walker Cup over Great Britain and Ireland.

The U.S. team, which won by a 12 1/2 - 11 1/2 count, reclaimed the cup for the first time since 1997 when the Americans defeated the GB&I team, 18-6. GB&I had won each of the last three Walker Cups.

GB&I kept this match tight all afternoon at the Chicago Golf Club. They halved two matches on the 18th hole and won one at the last, all with birdies.

The morning foursome matches were split, with two wins per team. The U.S. duo of Anthony Kim and Brian Harman claimed a 4 and 2 win over Lloyd Saltman and Richie Ramsay.

The GB&I pair of Rhys Davies and Edwards downed Matthew Every and Lee Williams 2 and 1. John Holmes and Nicholas Thompson claimed a similar win for the U.S. over the GB&I pair of Oliver Fisher and Matthew Richardson.

The final morning match went to GB&I. Gary Lockerbie and Robert Dinwiddie bested Michael Putnam and Overton, 5 and 3.