Special Moments in the Ryder Cup

Special Moments in Ryder Cup History

(Compiled by The PGA of America – August 2016)

The United States and Europe meet Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2016, in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. The following vignettes highlight many of the personalities and special moments that come together in an arena that is the ultimate spectacle in golf.

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1927 Good sports from the beginning Worcester Country Club — Worcester, Massachusetts The inaugural Ryder Cup was held a year after an American contingent was defeated 13 1/2 to 1 1/2 at Wentworth, England, in an informal match. The same Great Britain Team was virtually intact at Worcester, Massachusetts, when the Ryder Cup began. Only Walter Hagen, Bill Mehlhorn, and Al Watrous returned for the U.S. The Americans were fresh, while the Great Britain Team arrived after a six-day voyage on the Aquitania from Southampton, England. Herbert Jolly joined the British Team from the Channel Islands, arriving aboard the Majestic four days after his teammates. The U.S. Team was superior on the Worcester greens and won nine matches. Great Britain’s George Duncan putted out on the final green to edge Joe Turnesa, 1-up, in the final match. The U.S. completed a 9 1/2 to 2 1/2 victory, and the final scene on the 18th green typified the Matches’ theme: sportsmanship. Members of both teams walked out to meet Duncan and Turnesa and all walked off the green arm in arm. 1929 Sir Walter takes the heat Moortown Golf Club — Leeds, England A gallery estimated at 10,000 followed both days of the second Ryder Cup, and cheered the home team to victory. U.S. Captain Walter Hagen took much criticism for pairing Ed Dudley, not Horton Smith, with Gene Sarazen in their foursome match against Britain’s Abe Mitchell and Fred Robson. Dudley and Sarazen lost the match, 2 and 1, and the U.S. dropped the Matches, 7-5. Hagen said, “It would be unthinkable to bring them all the way from the States without giving each man a chance to strike a blow for his country.” Hagen, the perpetual showman, dressed up in black for his match with British Captain George Duncan. Hagen had proudly declared to everyone within earshot when the pairing was announced, “Boys, there’s a point for our team right there.” Duncan, 45, perhaps past his golfing prime, routed Hagen, 10 and 8 - the largest winning margin in a 36-hole Ryder Cup match. “To lose in a game is not a national calamity,” said Hagen. “Besides, one country can not always expect to win. If such a thing were to happen, world interest in golf would evaporate. Though naturally disappointed, I cannot help thinking that Britain’s triumph is the finest thing that could have happened to the game. It will act as a tonic all round. America will prepare to win the cup back, while Britain — stimulated by success long deferred — will go from strength to strength.” 1931 Gene, Gene, are you in there? Scioto Country Club — Columbus, Ohio Ever the inventive golfer and a supreme match-play strategist, Gene Sarazen took advantage of an errant shot at Scioto Country Club early in his match against Great Britain’s Fred Robson. Sarazen hit his tee shot over the green on a par-3 hole and into a refreshment stand that included a refrigerator. Robson, who had hit the green 25 feet from the hole, waited confidently as Sarazen walked into the stand, where he found his ball on the cement floor, lying in a crack. About to pick up the ball and concede, Sarazen at the last moment noticed an open window on the side of the stand next to the green. Since the match was close, Sarazen decided to play his ball, getting assistance to move the refrigerator out of his path. Sarazen took his stance, peered through the window and lofted the ball through the opening and on to the green, only 10 feet from the hole. Robson, meanwhile, had noticed the delay while Sarazen had surveyed the shot and had walked to the hut. “Gene, Gene, are you in there?” Robson asked. Sarazen didn’t immediately reply and then hit his shot. Robson, discovering Sarazen’s amazing recovery, lost his composure and three-putted. Sarazen easily two-putted for a bogey, but it didn’t matter. “Poor Fred, he was floored,” Sarazen said, who went on to win the match, 7 and 6. The Americans won the singles that day, 6-2, registered a 9-3 overall victory and returned the Ryder Cup to U.S. soil.


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1933 Samuel Ryder makes his final appearance Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club — Southport, England Neither the U.S. or Great Britain had yet won on foreign soil in the Ryder Cup, and a crowd of 15,000 followed the dramatics in the fourth edition of the matches. The final singles match featured Britain’s Syd Easterbrook and America’s Denny Shute. The players were all square on the final green and facing par putts of approximately 30 feet each. Shute hit his approach putt some four feet past the hole and Easterbrook stroked his putt within tap-in range. Shute missed his comeback putt, allowing Great Britain a 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 victory. It would mark the last Great Britain victory for 24 years and the last time that Ryder Cup namesake Samuel Ryder would attend. He died in 1936. Shute recovered from his bitter defeat by winning the British Open a few weeks later at St. Andrews, Scotland. Shute defeated fellow Ryder Cup teammate, Craig Wood, in a playoff. 1935 Three brothers can’t carry Great Britain The Ridgewood Country Club — Paramus, New Jersey The Whitcombe family — brothers Charles, Ernest and Reg — helped form the Great Britain Ryder Cup Team, but the triple threat wasn’t enough to earn the visitors’ first victory on U.S. soil. The Americans simply had too much depth, including the final competitive appearance by Walter Hagen, and eased to a 9-3 victory. Hagen teamed with Gene Sarazen for a 7 and 6 romp in the first-day foursomes. Great Britain Captain Charles Whitcombe and brother Ernest defeated Olin Dutra and Ky Laffoon, 1-up. However, both captains sat out the second-day singles, with Charles Whitcombe apparently believing that all the Whitcombes playing would be unfair to other teammates. Hagen happily watched from the gallery in the event he helped promote, while his teammates won six of eight singles matches. 1937 The Squire relishes a rub of the green Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club — Southport, England The U.S. scored its first victory on British soil, featuring a team that included rookie Sam Snead, runner-up in the 1937 U.S. Open, Byron Nelson and Ed Dudley. Walter Hagen served as captain for the sixth time, but it was his first as a non-competitor. The final day was played in pouring rain through most of the competition. By lunch, the Americans had enjoyed an advantage in three of the final four singles matches. However, Great Britain’s Percy Alliss held a 1-up advantage on Gene Sarazen. Alliss pushed his advantage to three holes before Sarazen rallied to square the match after 14 holes. At the par-3 15th, Alliss safely found the green with his tee shot. Sarazen hit an errant tee shot that struck a spectator and bounced on to the green. Sarazen then made the birdie putt and held on for a 1-up victory. The Ryder Cup resumed in November 1939 at Ponte Vedra (Fla.) Country Club, but the dark clouds of war were breaking rapidly across Europe. The competition would not be renewed for another decade. NO MATCHES PLAYED — 1939-45 due to World War II 1947 A fruit packer saves the Matches Portland Golf Club — Portland, Oregon With food and gasoline (petrol) rationing continuing following World War II, Great Britain was ill equipped to fund a professional golf team for the resumption of the Ryder Cup. It’s doubtful that the Matches would have resumed by 1947 had Robert A. Hudson, a prominent Oregon fruit packer and canner, not come forward to fund the Great Britain Team. Hudson, a member of the PGA Advisory Committee (1946-68), annually sponsored the Portland Open. He met the British Team in New York after their voyage on the Queen Mary. He accompanied the party on its 3 1/2-day train ride to Portland. The U.S. Team, the first to be selected via a points system, dominated on a course that was soggy throughout the week. Only Britain’s Sam King was able to secure a point, defeating Herman Keiser, 4 and 3, in singles. Following the Matches, Hudson sent Christmas baskets of food to all the members of the British Team and others he had met in 1947 and again in 1951. Even when food rationing had ended in post-war Europe, the food baskets from Oregon continued to arrive. Taking the cue from Hudson, the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain began rallying on its own to build funding for the event.


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1949 Bantam Ben attempts some gamesmanship Ganton Golf Club — Scarborough, England It was a situation where Ben Hogan’s gamesmanship almost backfired. Hogan had complained to British Captain Charles Whitcombe that the faces of the clubs the British players were using had been filed or ground down to allow better control of their approach shots. Hogan said Dick Burton’s entire set, for example, should be disqualified. This was actually retaliation by Hogan for a 1947 incident in which Henry Cotton had asked for an inspection of Hogan’s clubs. No “illegal” grooves were found at that time. After Burton’s strenuous objection, Hogan called Bernard Darwin, honorary secretary of the Royal & Ancient Golf Rules Committee, to intervene. Darwin, called from his dinner to make the ruling, agreed “Nothing that a little filing will not put right.” Darwin returned to the dinner table and the clubs were spirited back to Ganton where club professional Jock Ballantine spent the evening in his workshop filing away. The following morning, the British — armed with clubs that met conforming standards — rallied for a 3-1 lead after the foursomes. Hogan gave a stern locker room speech before his team bounced back the second day to snatch six of eight singles matches and retain the Ryder Cup by a 7-5 margin. 1951 It’s football for intermission Pinehurst Country Club — Pinehurst, North Carolina The only visit by The Ryder Cup to historic Pinehurst (North Carolina) Country Club had a little of everything. Midway through the Matches, the competition was suspended in order that members of both teams could attend a college football game in Chapel Hill between North Carolina and Tennessee. North Carolina was routed, 27-0, and it may have been an omen for the British spectators who attended their first American football game. The following day, Sam Snead “quarterbacked” the Americans to a 4 and 3 singles victory over Max Faulkner, and the U.S. posted a 9 1/2 to 2 1/2 victory. So convincing was the American performance, that only two of the 12 matches for both days reached the 18th hole. Overlooked in the rout was American Jimmy Demaret, who made his last appearance and finished his career with a 6-0-0 Ryder Cup record. Defeated singles opponent Dai Rees said Demaret was “the greatest sand player I have ever seen. He was in 11 greenside bunkers and on 10 occasions he got down with a splash and a putt.” 1953 The intensity begins to wear Wentworth Golf Club — Wentworth, England In his singles match against U.S. Captain Lloyd Mangrum, Great Britain’s Eric Brown stood 1-up heading into the 36th hole. As Brown addressed his ball, he was aware of Mangrum’s vivid yellow jersey moving into the corner of his eye. With an icy glare, Brown turned and said calmly, “I canny have you there, Lloyd. Just come round and stand over here where I can see you.” Furious, Mangrum took a five on the hole, leaving Brown three putts from 20 feet to win the match. Brown left his first putt 14 inches short, but was met with a snarl from Mangrum. “I guess you can get down in two from there, but let’s see you do it, anyway,” Mangrum said. Brown laughed and replied, “You must be expecting me to drop down dead!” To the amusement of the gallery, Brown surveyed the putt from all angles before rapping the ball into the center of the cup. The U.S. squeaked out a 61/2 to 51/2 victory, but not until Bernard Hunt missed a putt on the 18th green to halve with American Dave Douglas. Mangrum said he would “never, never captain an American Team again,” because of “the 9,000 deaths I suffered in the last hour.” 1955 The size of the ball has no bearing Thunderbird Golf & Country Club — Palm Springs, California For the first time, Ryder Cup Teams were allowed to choose between playing with the 1.68-inch American ball and the 1.62-inch British ball. The Rules also allowed players to choose a different-size ball for each hole. Most players took advantage of this option and used the smaller ball on the par 5s and the larger ball on the shorter holes. However, the Rules did little to stop an American domination spearheaded by the quartet of Tommy Bolt, Jack Burke Jr., Doug Ford and Sam Snead. They had two victories apiece to account for all of the American points in an 8-4 triumph. In the closing ceremony, Lord Brabazon of Tara, then president of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain, said, “We have learned a lot, although we have lost, and we are going back to practice in the streets and on the beaches.”


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1957 From heartbreak to vital cheerleader Lindrick Golf Club — Yorkshire, England It was a case of one man looking like a hero and another a heel. British Captain Dai Rees decided Harry Weetman and Max Faulkner weren’t playing well to be allowed in the singles matches. The U.S. was leading 3-1, and replaced them with Peter Mills and Harry Bradshaw. The decision was met with bitterness by Weetman, who complained to reporters. Meanwhile, Faulkner turned cheerleader. With no leader boards or other means or communication on the course, Faulkner ran from match to match to report the progress of his team. This inspired the British, who won six of eight singles matches in the afternoon. Many on the British Team credited Faulkner for the team victory. For Rees, it was the end to a special strategy. He had chosen Lindrick Golf Club because he knew the layout well and also because the Americans would know virtually nothing about it. The British PGA suspended Weetman from tournament golf for a year, but Rees later helped shorten the suspension to several months. 1959 A disaster in the skies is avoided El Dorado Country Club — Palm Desert, California U.S. Ryder Cup Team member Doug Ford had happened to meet the Great Britain Team, as it was about to board a plane from the Los Angeles International Airport to Palm Desert, California. Ford asked for and received a “lift.” Midway through the flight, the light airplane carrying the players encountered severe turbulence over the San Jacinto Mountains and plummeted in seconds from 13,000 to 9,000 feet. Fortunately, the pilot recovered control of the plane and returned to Los Angeles, where the shaken golfers took a Greyhound bus to the desert. The Matches weren’t much more hospitable to the visitors, as U.S. rookies Cary Middlecoff, Julius Boros, Bob Rosburg, Jay Hebert and Mike Souchak combined for 7 1/2 points in the 8 1/2 to 3 1/2 victory. Ford scored a halve in his singles match with Norman Drew and teamed with Art Wall for a 3 and 2 foursomes victory over Peter Alliss and Christy O’Connor. 1961 Arnie makes his debut Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s — St. Anne’s, England First-time Ryder Cup competitor Arnold Palmer and Great Britain’s Peter Alliss were dead even in their morning singles match heading into the 18th hole. Palmer hit his approach 18 feet short of the pin and Alliss was 30 yards off the putting surface. With a home crowd and his father, Percy Alliss — a Ryder Cup veteran of the 1930s — watching, Peter chipped to within 20 inches of the hole. Palmer conceded the putt to Alliss. Palmer then charged his potential match-winning putt 30 inches past the cup. As Palmer crouched to putt, Alliss said, “That’s all right, Arnold, pick it up. We’ve had a good match; let’s leave it that way.” The Americans went on to win, 14 1/2 to 9 1/2, despite a one-point margin in the final-day singles. Palmer would go on to win 23 career points in 32 matches, while Alliss finished with eight career appearances and earned 12 1/2 points. Alliss ended his competitive career in the 1970s to become one of his country’s finest and most respected sports broadcasters. 1963 The Last Captain to tee it up East Lake Country Club — Atlanta, Georgia The Great Britain Team believed by 1963 that the Ryder Cup Captain was more valuable in planning strategy than competing. However, Arnold Palmer was comfortable in his playing role as U.S. Team Captain and guided the Americans to a record 23-9 romp at East Lake Country Club, the former training ground of another American golf hero, Bobby Jones. “This team would beat the rest of the world combined,” Palmer proudly declared before the matches. With superior depth and guided by veterans Julius Boros, Dow Finsterwald and Billy Casper, Captain Palmer’s boast didn’t need further substantiation. With the overall point total for the event increased to 32, the U.S. built a 12-4 lead after two days and won the third-day singles, 11-5. The U.S. performance would stand as the second most points ever earned by one team in the Ryder Cup. In addition, Palmer finished his week as the last captain to play in the Matches with a glossy 4-1-0 record.


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1965 The Matches expand and the Rules prevail Royal Birkdale Golf Club — Southport, England Royal Birkdale member Brian Park, who also was the vice president of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain, donated £11,000 pounds to help promote the Ryder Cup. The result was an expansion of hospitality for spectators. But, the Americans continued to dominate. And, the Rules of Golf also prevailed. In his singles match against Britain’s George Will, Gene Littler discovered 15 clubs — one over the limit — in his bag. Littler made the discovery after playing his second shot on the third hole. He immediately reported the fact to Will and referee Robert Sangster, who penalized him the first two holes. Will was distraught over the matter, and noticing the extra club wasn’t from Littler’s original set, asked to waive the Rule. But, Sangster wouldn’t budge. Littler went on to win the match, 2 and 1, and the U.S. won the Matches, 19 1/2 to 12 1/2. 1967 Hogan keeps it short and sweet Champions Golf Club — Houston, Texas A stone-faced Ben Hogan, making his third appearance as U.S. Captain, was the last to speak during a team dinner before the 17th Ryder Cup began. Following British Captain Dai Rees’ flowery introduction of his players, Hogan politely asked the audience to hold its applause until he had introduced all his players. Following his calling upon the last player, Hogan paused momentarily for dramatic effect, then said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the American Team — the 10 greatest golfers in the world.” He then took his seat amid a storm of applause. Most present at the dinner believed the Matches were decided at that point. Arnold Palmer and Gardner Dickinson each finished 5-0-0 during the week and the U.S. went on to its largest victory, 23 1/2 to 8 1/2.

1969 Jack and Tony define the Matches Royal Birkdale Golf Club — Southport, England The greatest display of sportsmanship in the Ryder Cup came during a heated competition in which nerves and tempers among several contestants on both sides appeared frayed. In the final singles match, U.S. Captain Sam Snead had called on rookie Jack Nicklaus, who had drawn Tony Jacklin, the toast of Great Britain after winning the British Open earlier that summer. The crowd loudly supported Jacklin throughout the afternoon, causing Nicklaus to back away from his ball more than once in an attempt to regain his concentration. But Nicklaus never complained, and said later that he felt the burden was on Jacklin’s shoulders heading into the final hole with the match even. Nicklaus ran up to Jacklin after both teed off on the 18th hole, and put an arm around Jacklin’s shoulders. “Hey, Tony. How do you feel?” “Bloody awful,” Jacklin said, trying to crack a smile. Nicklaus continued, “Just thought I’d ask, because if it’s any consolation, I feel the same way. A bugger, isn’t it?” With each facing birdie putts on the 18th, Jacklin putted first, rolling his ball some three feet past the hole. Nicklaus followed by rolling his birdie attempt three to four feet past the hole. Hunched over in his characteristic stance, Nicklaus rolled in the par putt. As Jacklin stooped to replace his ball, Nicklaus stooped as well to pick up Jacklin’s marker and offered his hand. “I didn’t think you would miss it,” Nicklaus said, again draping an arm around Jacklin, “but I wasn’t going to give you the chance.” The Ryder Cup ended in a 16-16 deadlock, the first of only two ties in its history. 1971 A caddie can’t afford to be a fan

Old Warson Country Club — St. Louis, Missouri During a morning four-ball match between Americans Arnold Palmer and Gardner Dickinson, and Britons Peter Oosterhuis and Bernard Gallacher, Dickinson overheard a caddie’s conversation. Jack McLeod, Gallacher’s caddie, was an American selected by Gallacher the week of the Matches. McLeod, a 56-year-old mailman, was also a big Palmer fan. He asked Palmer what club Arnold had hit. “A 5-iron,” Palmer replied. The question, though illegal, had no bearing on what club Gallacher was hitting because he had not heard the question or the answer. Dickinson watched as Gallacher hit his shot inside Palmer and the hole was halved. However, official John Conley of Pittsburgh invoked Rule 9, which states that neither a player or his caddie can ask for advice from the opposition or their caddies. The hole was given to the Palmer-Dickinson Team, despite Palmer’s pleas to reverse the ruling. “At least I didn’t get fired,” a crestfallen McLeod later said. The Americans prevailed, 16 1/2 to 13 1/2.


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1973 An ace that arrived too late Muirfield — Gullane, Scotland The first Ryder Cup contested in Scotland also featured an element of back-scenes drama, which didn’t aid the host Great Britain, & Ireland Team. Great Britain’s Bernard Gallacher contracted a stomach virus - that was first diagnosed as food poisoning - before the second-day foursomes. Peter Butler was summoned from his bed just 11/2 hours before his tee time to replace Gallacher and join teammate Brian Barnes. Trailing the U.S. duo of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf by a three-hole margin, Butler responded by becoming the first player to record a hole-in-one in Ryder Cup history. Using a 3-iron, Butler aced the par-3 16th hole at Muirfield. He then sunk a massive par putt on the 17th hole to trim the margin to one hole. But Nicklaus preserved the 1-up victory with an exquisite chip from behind the 18th green. Butler and Barnes also fell in the afternoon four-balls, 2-up, to Arnold Palmer and J.C. Snead. Though Gallacher returned for the final day’s two rounds of singles, the U.S. had the momentum to win, 19-13. 1975 The Golden Bear meets his match Laurel Valley Golf Club — Ligonier, Pennsylvania Jack Nicklaus arrived at Laurel Valley Golf Club playing what he called “the best golf of my life.” Nicklaus had won his fifth Masters in April, his fourth PGA Championship in August and the World Open at Pinehurst, N.C. He was a natural leader for a U.S. Team that would retain possession of the Ryder Cup trophy for a ninth consecutive time. The Americans won, 21-11, including an 11-5 singles margin on the third day. The victory margin would have been larger had not England’s Brian Barnes stepped up and humbled Nicklaus. Barnes defeated Nicklaus not once, but twice in singles competition. “I know how bloody mad he was, but he never showed it and congratulated me warmly,” said Barnes of the morning 4 and 2 triumph over Nicklaus. “We talked fishing a lot of the way around, and you know, Jack was responsible for re-matching us again in the afternoon. America had won the Ryder Cup by then and it was he who suggested to Arnold Palmer, their captain, that the order of play should be fiddled so that we met again. It gave the crowd something to watch and I remember Jack saying to me on the first tee: ‘You’ve beaten me once, but there ain’t no way you’re going to beat me again.’ And then he started — birdie, birdie, and I didn’t think I would. But I did.” Barnes, with a pipe clenched firmly in his teeth, stormed back with birdies on the 11th and 12th holes and held on for a 2 and 1 victory. Wherever he would go in the ensuing years, Barnes said his two victories over Nicklaus would always come up in conversation. 1977 A historic appeal from the Golden Bear Royal Lytham & St. Annes — St. Annes, England During the week in which the United States would post yet another Ryder Cup victory, 12 1/2 to 7 1/2, a major renovation of the competition was discussed off course. Jack Nicklaus approached Lord Derby, president of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain, and later backed up his words in a letter in which he said, “it is vital to widen the selection procedures if the Ryder Cup is to continue to enjoy its past prestige.” By the 1978 Masters, the changes were in place, and a selection procedure to include all players from Europe was announced. The competition, meanwhile, at Royal Lytham was another study in the strength of American talent. Though Nicklaus and Tom Watson were defeated, 1-up each, by Bernard Gallacher and Nick Faldo, respectively, the U.S. had owned a comfortable 7 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead heading into the singles. The two teams finished the final day in a 5-5 draw. Gallacher had his putter stolen between the practice range and the first tee, but purchased a PING putter in the golf shop before defeating Nicklaus. Faldo suffered from glandular fever, but was a demon on the greens.


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1979 Pass the envelope once more, please The Greenbrier — White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia The first Ryder Cup to form a “European” Team beyond the United Kingdom also was the first Matches to employ “the envelope” system. The new Rule almost erupted into a major controversy. U.S. Captain Billy Casper had misunderstood the Rule that each team place a player that would sit out the competition should the other team’s player become ill or injured and unable to play. Each side would therefore earn a half point for the unplayed singles match. “I was told to put down the name of a player I wanted to protect,” said Casper. “I thought putting in Lee’s name meant he was guaranteed to play. It was just the opposite.” American Gil Morgan had a sore shoulder after suffering a bad fall two days earlier, had asked to withdraw for the final day. But Casper inadvertently placed healthy Lee Trevino’s name, not Morgan’s, in the envelope. European Captain John Jacobs quickly avoided a problem by declaring that the U.S. be allowed its change. Trevino went out the final day and defeated England’s Sandy Lyle, 2 and 1. Meanwhile, America’s Larry Nelson was a sterling 5-0-0 during his team’s 17-11 victory and the U.S. rolled 8 1/2 to 3 1/2 in singles. 1981 The last U.S. domination Walton Heath Golf Club — Surrey, England With a roster of players who had won a combined 36 major championships, the U.S. enjoyed its final domination on the Ryder Cup scoreboard, 18 1/2 to 9 1/2. The U.S. ended the second day of foursomes and four-balls with a 7-1 performance, just behind the all-time record of 7 1/2 points in 1967. American Captain Dave Marr was described by Christopher Plumridge of the London Guardian: “The 48-year-old Marr, whose crumpled good looks and twanging accent make you think of a trail boss in some remake of Rawhide.” Marr apparently used all his spurs and whips to great use, as his talented team coasted. The duo of Jack Nicklaus and Larry Nelson each finished 4-0. Marr had reason to encourage his players. He said he remembered words of warning from his cousin, Jack Burke Jr., who was the last U.S. Captain to guide a losing team: “The Ryder Cup is different than teeing it up for money. You can always talk to your landlord about the rent, but if we lose, we may not get back in the country. . . .it could mean a posting to El Salvador.” 1983 A Divot to Remember PGA National Golf Club (Champion Course) — Palm Beach Gardens, Florida The 25th Ryder Cup was anything but a repeat of past domination by the United States stable of talent. In fact, this edition staged at PGA National Golf Club’s Champion Course served as the transition to a new era of compelling drama in the sport. With both sides in an 8-8 deadlock following two days of competition, the remaining 12 singles matches were intense and featured some of the event’s most memorable shotmaking. Spain’s Seve Ballesteros secured a halve with Fuzzy Zoeller when he struck a 240-yard 3-wood from a bunker on the 18th hole. The ball landed on the fringe of the green from where he chipped and saved par. Later, American Lanny Wadkins fell three down with seven to play against Spain’s Jose Maria Canizares. Wadkins trimmed the margin to one heading into the 18th hole, a par-5 dogleg left into the wind. Wadkins was encouraged when Canizares’ approach came up short of the green. Wadkins then hit a 60-yard pitching wedge approach to within a foot of the hole for a tap-in birdie to halve the match. So overcome with joy was U.S. Captain Jack Nicklaus that he marched to the spot where Wadkins hit his shot and bent down and kissed the ground. The U.S. then watched as Tom Watson bogeyed the 17th hole but closed out Bernard Gallacher, who missed a 4 1/2-foot bogey putt, in a 2 and 1 decision. Said European Captain Tony Jacklin, “I’m disappointed, but it could not have been any closer. Our boys put up a fantastic performance. I think the game of golf will benefit.”


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1985 The Empire strikes back The Belfry — Sutton Coldfield, England Scotland’s Sam Torrance strode down the 18th fairway with tears streaming down his cheeks. His ears were filled with the thunderous ovation of a partisan gallery at The Belfry. “I’ve dreamed about it all my life,” he said. “It’s just the greatest moment I have ever had. I’ve been crying all the way since the last tee. The ovation was sparked when Torrance’s opponent, Andy North, the reigning U.S. Open Champion, dumped his tee shot into the water before the green. Torrance needed only a bogey to win the hole, 1-up, and secure the Ryder Cup for Europe. But Torrance drained his 20-foot birdie putt. He raised his arms in triumph. The Ryder Cup was in Europe’s care for the first time in 28 years. Europe’s convincing 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory was built around five players who were born near the time that Great Britain last won the Ryder Cup, in 1957: Spain’s Seve Ballesteros, Germany’s Bernhard Langer, Wales’ Ian Woosnam, Scotland’s Sandy Lyle and England’s Nick Faldo. 1987 A 60-year barrier is broken Muirfield Village — Columbus, Ohio European Captain Tony Jacklin orchestrated a now famous “locker room discussion” that proved pivotal to a historic 27th Ryder Cup. Jacklin and his team met with officials of the PGA European Tour on the eve of the competition. The players, one by one, aired their grievances about unsatisfactory conditions on the European circuit. They complained about everything from poor practice facilities to inconsistent greens. Official George O’Grady later said the session took the players’ minds off golf and its tactics in order that they would come out refreshed the following morning. Europe went out and played magnificently to record a historic decision, rolling to a 10 1/2 to 5 1/2-point margin after two days and eventually holding on for a 15-13 triumph. It marked the first Ryder Cup victory by the visitors on U.S. soil. The Americans failed to win the 18th hole in any match and lost the final hole in three crucial matches. Europe boasted six players who contributed three or more points. The U.S. had just two multiple point-winners in Tom Kite and Hal Sutton. 1989 Wild cards don’t always come up aces The Belfry — Sutton Coldfield, England For the first time in Ryder Cup history, the United States was faced with having suffered two straight defeats. The PGA of America approved the first “wild card” selections for its no-nonsense captain, Raymond Floyd. At the gala dinner before the Matches, Floyd had boldly introduced his team as “the 12 greatest players in the world.” Unfortunately, Floyd’s confident words backfired where Ben Hogan’s same comments were prophetic in 1967. Floyd chose Tom Watson and Lanny Wadkins for his wild-card additions to the U.S. Team, electing for experience over recent success. European Captain Tony Jacklin had three wild-card selections, and chose Howard Clark, Bernhard Langer and Christy O’Connor. Floyd’s picks finished with just one more point than Jacklin’s, 4-3. Meanwhile, Europe once again showed its confidence down the stretch. Fifteen of the 28 matches ended on the 18th green and each side claimed four singles matches on the final green. Europe retained possession of the golden trophy following a 14-14 draw. It was the second deadlock in event history. 1991 The Putt that Nobody wanted The Ocean Course — Kiawah Island, South Carolina For three days, the United States and European Ryder Cup Teams waged a memorable duel at the new Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. After 28 matches and numerous lead changes, the moment to decide which team would secure the Ryder Cup came down to a six-foot putt. Germany’s Bernhard Langer and America’s Hale Irwin approached the final green realizing the importance of their match. Said Irwin, “When I was out there on 10, 11 and 12 and I kept hearing that ‘USA!’ I’m telling you what. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t swallow, I couldn’t do anything. And making that turn back in on 14, I could barely hit the ball.” Irwin’s approach to the 18th green flew wide right and caromed off a spectator. Irwin then chipped poorly and followed by putting to within a foot of the hole. Langer conceded Irwin’s bogey putt and followed by hitting his 45-foot birdie putt six feet past the hole. Langer then clamped his split-lock grip on the putter and struck his par putt, which slipped by on the right side of the hole. The match was halved, and America, a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 winner, had regained the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1983. “I saw two spike marks on my line,” said Langer. “It looked like a left-left putt. I talked to my caddie (Peter Coleman). He said, “Hit it left-center and firm to avoid the spike marks. That’s what I tried to do. It did not go in.”


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1993 Vindication at The Belfry The Belfry — Sutton Coldfield, England In two previous Ryder Cup competitions at The Belfry, Europe had outscored the United States, 301/2 -251/2. The home team had won easily in 1985 and forged a draw in 1989 to retain the golden trophy. U.S. Captain Tom Watson charged his team to forget the “war mentality” of the 1991 competition and return to what he believed the Ryder Cup was all about — “honor and sportsmanship.” Watson relied upon veterans Raymond Floyd and Lanny Wadkins, who combined for 16 appearances, to lift his team. The first confidence-booster for the U.S. was Tom Kite and Davis Love III upsetting the duo of Spain’s Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal in morning foursomes, 2 and 1. The Spaniards had come into the match unbeaten in six previous appearances. Yet, Europe gained an 8 1/2 to7 1/2 advantage after two days. With Europe’s Sam Torrance sidelined with a toe injury, Wadkins approached Watson before the singles and volunteered to be his team’s choice to sit out the final day’s action. The unselfish gesture helped ignite the U.S. Team, which led to a variety of outstanding singles play. The U.S. rallied, 7 1/2 to 4 1/2 to win, 15-13. Raymond Floyd, at age 51 the oldest player in Ryder Cup history, sank three birdie putts on the back nine and sealed possession of the Cup for the Americans with a 2-up decision over Olazabal. Chip Beck, meanwhile, rallied from a three-hole deficit to defeat Barry Lane, 1-up, and Love toppled Italy’s Costantino Rocca, 1-up, sinking a six-foot par putt on the 18th green. In his address during the closing ceremonies, Watson recited former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s words of the famous “man in the arena” speech. Watson had accomplished his goal of guiding a winning U.S. Team in Europe and upholding sportsmanship.

1995 Heartbreak Hill

Oak Hill Country Club — Rochester, New York Sparked by singles victories by unheralded Philip Walton of Ireland and Howard Clark of England, Europe finished with a 7 1/2 to 4 1/2 margin on the final day to topple the United States, 15-13, at Oak Hill Country Club. Clark added a hole-in-one on the par-3 11th hole, the fourth ace in Ryder Cup history and second of the week, which proved vital in the 1-up triumph over Peter Jacobsen. Walton went three holes up on Jay Haas with three holes to play. Haas then holed out a bunker shot for a birdie on the par-3 15th hole, then won the 17th with a par after a marvelous recovery shot. But Haas popped up his drive on the 18th and later watched as his third shot spun off the green and into heavy rough. Walton hit a wedge 10 feet short of the hole. Haas was unable to hole his 40-foot chip, knocking it wide and eight feet past the hole. Walton trickled his par putt 12 inches beyond the hole and Haas conceded the comeback putt. Seconds after Walton had parred to give Europe the Cup, European Captain Bernard Gallacher leaped high in the air on the green and rushed to hug Walton. “Everybody says the 1987 Team was the strongest team we have ever had,” said England’s Nick Faldo. “But we are all eight years older now, and everybody has climbed their own mountain this week.” Following the matches, Oak Hill members approved planting a new oak tree on the hill surrounding the 15th green, signifying the achievement of the European Team.

1997 Europe reigns in Spain Valderrama Golf Club — Sotogrande, Spain The first Ryder Cup to visit continental Europe convened in the homeland of one of the event’s fiercest competitors — Spain’s Seve Ballesteros. The flamboyant Ballesteros, who had competed in eight previous Ryder Cup Teams, guided a team featuring five rookies: Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, Spain’s Ignacio Garrido, Sweden’s Jesper Parnevik and England’s Lee Westwood. As Ballesteros whisked around the course on his golf car to cheer and often coach his players, Europe built a 10 1/2 to 5 1/2 advantage after two days. The American trio of Masters Champion Tiger Woods, British Open Champion Justin Leonard and PGA Champion Davis Love III combined for just a 1-9-3 record. The U.S. rallied to win eight singles matches on the final day, but Woods was not among them. He was upset, 4 and 2, by Italy’s 43-year-old Costantino Rocca. The U.S. finished a point short, 14 1/2 to 13 1/2, in attempting to win back the Cup. Ballesteros stood outside the clubhouse in the rain, holding the Ryder Cup aloft amid cheers from his team and a partisan throng. “I have done nothing,” he said later. “It is always the team. They play great, very consistent. Before the singles on Sunday, it was the first time in the history of the Ryder Cup that every player made one point. I think that speaks for itself.” Said Kite, “In the long run, they knew the golf course better than we did.”


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1999 The putt heard ’round the world The Country Club — Brookline, Massachusetts As uphill struggles go, the four-point deficit the United States Ryder Cup Team faced after two days of competition was like gazing from base camp up to the summit of Everest. The night before the singles competition, U.S. Captain Ben Crenshaw left one thought with the media, “I have a good feeling about tomorrow. That’s all I’m going to tell ya.” Perhaps Crenshaw was a part-time soothsayer. The following morning, the first six U.S. players went out and won an average of four holes per match, accumulating 23 birdies and just three bogeys. Though the U.S. won eight singles matches, it needed a vital half-point to win back the Cup for the first time since 1993. Justin Leonard, who trailed Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal by four holes with seven to play, came through. He made an uphill 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th green, setting off a wild celebration by his teammates and their spouses to the left fringe of the green. Olazabal had yet to putt. Once the celebration ended, Olazabal barely missed his 25-foot uphill birdie putt. Olazabal ended with a birdie on the 18th to halve the match, but watched the Ryder Cup exchange hands. Crenshaw, ever the historian, reminded the media, “We all know about Francis Ouimet and his (1913 U.S. Open) victory against two of the finest British players of his time. That’s a little bit spooky. Justin made his putt on the same green Ouimet made his. And (Ouimet’s) house is right across the street.” The U.S. finished a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victor, featuring the biggest comeback in Ryder Cup history. The Americans’ earning 8 1/2 of a possible 12 points in singles was the best final-day performance since 1979. 2002 Sam’s boys put on their ‘Sunday Best’ The Belfry — Sutton Coldfield, England Sam Torrance sent out his best seven Europeans to bring home the Ryder Cup and got even more help than he imagined from his other players for a stunning 15 ½ to 12 ½ victory over the U.S. to mark the fourth occasion that The Belfry of Sutton Coldfield, England, has hosted golf’s most compelling event. The dramatics were delayed one year by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks upon America. Europe won back the gold trophy when Ireland’s Paul McGinley made a six-foot putt on the 18th hole to earn a halve against Jim Furyk, assuring it the 14½ points it needed to claim the Cup. The final margin of three points was the largest margin of victory in the Ryder Cup since Europe won 16½-11½, in 1985 at The Belfry, the start of European domination. Europe now has won the trophy six of the last nine times. The European players stormed across the green when it was over, most of them having already done their work by winning early and winning big. They gave Europe the lead and momentum that it never surrendered on a thrilling afternoon. Torrance was the hero in 1985 at The Belfry when he holed the winning putt, and he called his captaincy the greatest moment of his life. When reminded of strong performances by unsung players – Phillip Price of Wales and Ireland’s Paul McGinley, Torrance said, “Out of the darkness come heroes, and Price and McGinley played like heroes.” And, McGinley endured one more tradition before leaving the course. His joyous teammates carried him above their shoulders and deposited him into the lake nearest the 18th green. McGinley emerged with an Irish flag and a smile he won’t lose anytime soon. 2004 Europe humbles its hosts on ‘The Monster’ Oakland Hills Country Club — Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Europe’s stunning 18 1/2 to 9 1/2 record-setting victory over the United States at Oakland Hills Country Club was best summarized by Spain’s 24-year-old Sergio Garcia. “I think that this whole team and also myself, we just live for this.” It would be hard to disagree with the Spaniard who scored 4 ½ of a possible five points to tie for team-leading honors. Europe’s most dominant performance over the United States in 77 years began in the opening match and continued to the final putt in Sunday’s singles. Captain Bernhard Langer of Germany guided his team masterfully, and was benefited by putting expertise throughout his team line-up. After racing to an 11-5 lead after two days, Europe closed with a dominant singles performance, 7 1/2 to 4 1/2. Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, who has never been defeated in singles, holes a par putt on the 18th hole to defeat David Toms, 1-up, giving his team the outright point margin it needed to retain the Ryder Cup for another two years.


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2006 European depth sinks America’s hopes The K Club — Straffan, Dublin, Ireland The United States, trailing 10-6 after the second day of the 36th Ryder Cup, hoped that they would come out in the singles and play like it was 1999. But, the depth that Europe possessed – perhaps its finest overall team to date – countered any American rally at The K Club. The Ryder Cup’s debut in Ireland resulted in a record-matching 18 1/2 to 9 1/2 European rout. It was the gesture of sportsmanship by Ireland’s Paul McGinley that prevented Europe from a new scoring record. It occurred after McGinley had made his birdie putt on the 18th green, and a male streaker had run to the right side of the green before eventually led away by police. McGinley then conceded a 25-foot birdie putt to America’s J.J. Henry. Europe tacked on more laurels to its triumph, becoming the first team on either side to win all five sessions of the Ryder Cup since the inception of the current format in 1979. It marked the third straight win for Europe. "We had a fantastic team spirit all week. I had a very strong team,” said European Captain Ian Woosnam. “To be a Captain, is incredible.” For the Americans, it was a dreadful Sunday with the Europeans seemingly holing every putt. The U.S. team only won six matches out of the 28 played. "I know our guys played with heart, but it wasn't enough," said American Captain Tom Lehman. “So many matches went down to the wire and it was tight for the most part. But I guess the European team just played better." 2008 Zinger’s ‘13th Man’ spark U.S. Rally Valhalla Golf Club— Louisville, Kentucky Amid a sea of red, white and blue, the Ryder Cup officially returned to American soil as the United States defeated Europe, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 37th edition of golf’s greatest event. Captained by Paul Azinger, a veteran of four previous Ryder Cups, the U.S. Team ended a nine-year drought covering three Ryder Cups. Inspired by six Ryder Cup rookies and with Azinger extolling U.S. galleries all week to serve as “the 13th Man,” the U.S. Team roared from the gates and established a 5 1/2 to 2 1/2 lead over the Europeans after Day One. The Americans never looked back as the rookies – Ben Curtis, J.B. Holmes, Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley – combined for a 9-4-8 record, accounting for 11 of their country’s points. Holmes, along with fellow Kentuckian Kenny Perry, finished a combined 4-1-2 in their matches. Energized by the performances of the hometown heroes and swept along by the fun-loving, hole-hunting Boo Weekley, the raucous crowd lived up to Azinger’s wish to become the “13th Man.” Their chants of “USA, USA,” which echoed loudly throughout the rolling fairways, willed the Team to the 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 triumph, the largest U.S. margin of victory in 27 years 2010 Lords of the Manor Celtic Manor Resort—Newport, Wales

Thousands of fans encircled the 17th green on a Monday afternoon at the Celtic Manor Resort, muscling for the best view of the final two gladiators of a marathon, but mesmerizing, 38th Ryder Cup. Moved to a Monday for the first time in Ryder Cup history after a week of rain, the singles competition and sunlight erased any disappointment. After nearly six-plus pulsating hours where the United States and Europe had traded punches to determine who would carry off a gold trophy, the pendulum swung to the last of 12 single matches between Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, the reigning U.S. Open Champion, and Texan Hunter Mahan, one of many heroes of the 2008 Ryder Cup. McDowell had answered in this pressure pot on Welsh soil by rolling in a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th hole, and then closed out Mahan to seal Europe’s 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 victory. It marked the first time since 1991 at Kiawah Island, S.C, that the Ryder Cup was decided by the final singles match. This thriller was set up by contributions by America’s best players and a stirring rally from a four-hole deficit by 21-year-old rookie Rickie Fowler, the third youngest U.S. player ever in golf’s ultimate spectacle. McDowell, who had seized the spotlight last June in Pebble Beach by earning his first major championship, dug even deeper this time, with Mahan unflinching in his bid to gain a crucial half-point. But, McDowell hit his birdie putt that trickled to the hole and fell in the cup to set off a thunderous roar on the Twenty Ten Course.


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2012 A legendary European rally in the spirit of Seve Medinah (Illinois) Country Club European players wore the image of the late Seve Ballesteros on their sleeves, had his silhouette embroidered on their golf bags, and played with his legendary passion to match the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history. European Captain José María Olazábal squeezed his eyes, fought back tears and looked skyward after Martin Kaymer stroked home a 6-foot par putt on the 18th green in the fading sunlight at Medinah Country Club. With a 14½ to 13½ victory in the 39th Ryder Cup, the four-pound gold trophy was returning to Europe. Kaymer defeated Steve Stricker, 1-up, to cap Europe’s record-matching comeback from a 10-6 deficit, a rally that was even more stunning than what Olazábal and his former teammates experienced in 1999 in Brookline, Mass. Thirteen years ago, it was Olazábal standing on the green watching the United States celebrate after roaring back from the identical margin on Sunday. The Medinah conquest was Europe's fifth victory in the last six Ryder Cups, and seventh in the last nine. Europe’s rally was ignited on Saturday afternoon, capturing the final two four-ball matches. Fueled by England’s Ian Poulter, Europe came out Sunday and won the first five matches. When Kaymer and Stricker arrived at the 18th green, an impossible victory had become inevitable. Kaymer delivered the critical 14th point to retain the cup, and Italian Francesco Molinari gave it to the Europeans outright with a halve with Tiger Woods in the final match.

2014 Europe strikes early, then soars at Gleneagles Perthshire, Scotland

Europe added another chapter of Ryder Cup dominance behind Rory McIlroy, two big rallies and a rookie – Jamie Donaldson - who hit the shot of his life to give a week a finish it deserved. Donaldson, unaware he already had done enough to retain the Ryder Cup, hit a 9-iron that settled 3 feet from the cup on the 15th hole. Keegan Bradley walked onto the green, saw Donaldson's ball next to the hole, removed his cap and conceded the birdie. Europe’s 16 ½ to 11 ½ triumph was its third consecutive Ryder Cup victory, and its eighth in the past 10 tries. McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose made sure the Americans would not get their redemption from the meltdown at Medinah two years ago as the first team to blow a four-point lead at home. McIlroy was 6-under par on his first six holes and trounced Rickie Fowler to set the tone. The Americans put plenty of red on the board early, just not for long. McDowell was 3-down after five holes and Rose was four behind after six holes. McDowell rallied to beat Jordan Spieth, while Rose earned a halve against Hunter Mahan. Martin Kaymer, who holed the winning point at Medinah, put Europe on the cusp of victory when he chipped in for eagle on the 16th to beat Bubba Watson. That set the stage for Donaldson. Europe Captain Paul McGinley, who spoke all week about a template for success, stood by the 15th green with the rest of the players who had finished their matches. Donaldson was mobbed by his teammates. U.S. Captain Tom Watson attributed the loss to foursomes -- Europe was unbeaten in both sessions and collected seven of the eight points – though McGinley wrote that off as a fluke.

2016 Hazeltine, hub for drama, welcomes golf’s ultimate spectacle Chaska, Minnesota

Hazeltine National Golf Club, the site of virtually every significant major championship since its debut in 1962, forms the backdrop for the 41st Ryder Cup, the first to be conducted in Minnesota. Designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1962 and remodeled by his son, Rees, in 1987, Hazeltine National has been home to some of the game’s most unpredictable chapters, including England’s Tony Jacklin capturing the 1970 U.S. Open; Payne Stewart emerging a 1991 U.S. Open playoff victor; and South Korea’s Y.E. Yang stunning Tiger Woods to win the 2009 PGA Championship. Hazeltine also has hosted the 2002 PGA Championship won by Rich Beem; the 1983 U.S. Senior Open, the 1966 and 1977 U.S. Women’s Open; the 1994 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2006 U.S. Amateur Championship. Just as it was during the 2009 PGA Championship, Hazeltine will challenge the finest players in the U.S. and Europe with a massive layout, measuring 7, 628 yards and the only course set up by the PGA of America boasting three par-5 holes 600 yards or longer.

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Special Moments in the Ryder Cup