9/28/23 Some Ryder Cup Past Highlights which define the early USA successes and failures.

9/28/23 Some Ryder Cup Past Highlights which define the early USA successes and failures.

1927 The Ryder Cup was started by Samuel Ryder and has been staged every 2 years except for, 1937 to 1947 due to WW II.  The 1927 team was captained by Ted Ray (Famous for losing the US Open along with Harry Vardon in 1913 to Francis Ouimet at Brookline CC).  The US team defeated Great Britain 9-1/2 to 2-1/2 and was captained by Walter Hagan who would remain captain through 1937 when the US won 4 and Great Britain 2.  Because the US had much better players than England they would then win 14 of 15 through 1971 except for a tie in 1969.  Jack Nicklaus got together with Lord Darby, head of the British PGA, to expand to Great Britain & Ireland in 1973 and all of Europe in 1979, which is why the Ryder Cup which nearly went out of existence is so competitive today.

1969 Royal Birkdale SCT and called “The Concession” Cup.  After making a short putt on 18 Jack Nicklaus picked up Tony Jacklin’s marker conceding the hole so that Jacklin would not have the pressure of a 2’ putt to prevent a loss.  It is considered one of the greatest gestures of sportsmanship ever, but not everyone was happy.  Captain Sam Snead commented: “All the boys thought it was ridiculous to give him the putt, we went over there to win, not to be good ol’ boys”. 

1985 The Belfry ENG Captain Tony Jacklin in his 2nd Cup as European Captain helps Europe get its first win since 1957.  US Captain Lee Trevino acted bitterly very un-Trevino like.

1987 Muirfield Village OH Tony Jacklin again outsmarts the Americans and Captain Jack Nicklaus.  The Europeans get their 1st win(15/13) on US soil at Nicklaus’ home course. Anyone but Nicklaus would have been severely criticized for his strategy, but Jack is Jack.

1991 Kiawah Island  SC ”War at the Shore”.  The first time an American crowd gave rousing support for the US team who won 14-1/2 to 13-1/2. 

1999 Brookline CC MA Justin Leonard made a 45’ putt on 17 to help the US comeback from a 10-6 deficit on the final day to win 14-1/2 to 13-1/2.

2008 Valhalla GC KY It is felt that Paul Azinger brought a new philosophy on how to put together and manage a team.  His revolutionary idea came from the Navy Seals using small groups to form tight bonds.  He formed 3 groups of 4 based on personalities and ability to work together.  It resulted in a USA win.  However for reasons unknown, his strategy was not used by many future captains but is now recognized as a major part of America’s new approach and success in future Ryder Cups.

2014 Gleneagles Hotel SCT Phil Mickelson goes on a 2 minute rant before the media in Scotland blaming Captain Tom Watson for the loss, citing his not following Paul Azinger’s policy of including players in decisions in the 2008 Cup.

2016 Hazeltine National GC MI Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed had a thrilling match with both making very long putts on the Par 3 #8.  Watch it on youtube, the best 2 putts I have ever seen.  Reed wins the match and scores 3 1/2 points for US first win 17/11 since 2008.

2021 Whistling Straits WI. This was considered a must win for the US.  They where favored and lost in France 17-1/2 to 10-/1/2 in 2018 and had lost 7 of the last 9.  At Whistling Straits they rebounded and pounded Europe 19 to 6, with 7 wins and 2 ties in the singles event on Sunday.  If you are at all interested in Ryder Cup “The Cup They Couldn’t Lose” by Shane Ryan is a great read.  If you are not a big fan of Ryder Cup (like I was) you will become a fan. If you are a fan and have been, it will open your eyes to things you never knew about Ryder Cup.

Either way I guarantee you will enjoy this book.