David Law last night expressed his belief that the GB&I selectors have made a mistake by controversially leaving him out of the Walker Cup team for September's match with the USA at Royal Aberdeen.

While Michael Stewart and James Byrne were confirmed as the Scottish representatives in the 10-man side, Law, the 20-year-old Aberdonian, was trying to come to terms with the “biggest disappointment” of his career as he had to settle for the first reserve place.

His omission from the team could be a major blunder by those in charge. Law may not have been included in the initial elite training squad but he has one of the best matchplay records in the British Isles.

The former Scottish Boys’ champion won the national amateur title for the second time in three years last month and, as a member of the Royal Aberdeen club, he would have brought a wealth of local knowledge, plus considerable local backing from the sidelines, to the table.

“In my opinion, they [the selectors] have made a mistake, but I would say that and anyone in my position would say that too,” admitted Law, who also won the Northern Amateur Open in South Africa earlier this year. “Playing in the Walker Cup in my home city has been my goal for the last two years and I’m just gutted that I’ve not made it. Last month, when I needed to perform under pressure, I did and I won the Scottish Amateur. I showed the selectors that I can win under pressure and after last week’s Home Internationals, where I took four points out of six, I felt I’d done enough. I did have a poor spell before all of this but over the past month I felt I’ve done all that I could do. It’s not been enough.”

Law, a protege of former Open champion Paul Lawrie, has battled his way back to the top of the amateur game following injuries sustained in an unprovoked street attack in late 2009 which affected his form last season.

He added: “There have been a few downs in my career and that was one of them but this has been the biggest disappointment. But I’ve bounced back before and I will do it again. I’m down at the moment but I have to look at the bigger picture. I’ve entered stage one of the European Tour’s qualifying school and hope to turn pro. This will play on my mind for a while but I’ll move on.”

As Law tried to digest the crushing news, his north-east partner Byrne offered words of support.

“I’m very disappointed that David didn’t make it,” said the Banchory youngster. “I think most people would’ve had him in. I think after his Scottish championship win he deserved it. I’m a bit surprised particularly as the match is at Royal Aberdeen. I’m sure David and I would’ve made a great foursomes pairing and we would’ve got the Aberdeen crowds charged up.”

Byrne, runner-up in the Amateur Championship last year, and South African Open winner Stewart, who was beaten in the Amateur final in June, were the Scottish names that most observers had pencilled in for selection at the start of the campaign.

Byrne, who is set to turn pro later this season, added: “I was half expecting to get in but you can never be certain. Since Royal Aberdeen was announced as the venue for the Walker Cup a few years ago I’ve made this my goal. It will be a great way to end my amateur career.”

As well as the Scottish pair, the GB&I side will include five Englishmen, two Irishmen and a Welshman.

Tom Lewis, the silver medallist at last month’s Open and the winner of June’s St Andrews Links Trophy, will be joined by his England colleagues Jack Senior, national champion Steven Brown, Scottish Open Strokeplay winner Andy Sullivan and Stiggy Hodgson, the only survivor of the 2009 Walker Cup squad. Paul Cutler, the Irish champion, and countryman Alan Dunbar, who was beaten by Law in last week’s Home Internationals, will also make the trip to the Granite City while Glamorgan’s Rhys Pugh will be the sole Welshman in Nigel Edwards’ team.

GB&I team for Walker Cup, Royal Aberdeen, September 10-11 Steven Brown (Wentworth), James Byrne (Banchory), Paul Cutler (Portstewart), Alan Dunbar (Rathmore), Stiggy Hodgson (Sunningdale), Tom Lewis (Welwyn Garden City), Rhys Pugh (Vale of Glamorgan), Jack Senior (Heysham), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck), Andy Sullivan (Nuneaton) Reserves: David Law (Hazlehead), Ross Kellett (Colville Park)