With the teams selected and the captains ready, the 40th Ryder Cup is set to tee off in three weeks time. In anticipation we’ve selected a few of our favourite Ryder Cup moments, from incredible shots to hilarious celebrations here’s a glimpse of Team Europe and Team USA over the past nine decades.
Southport, England – 1969
Marking his first Ryder Cup appearance, Jack Nicklaus is responsible for one of the greatest sportsmanship gestures ever recorded. During the overly contentious Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale in 1969, the Teams were head-to-head going into the final match between Nicklaus and England’s Tony Jacklin.
The battle continued to the final hole where the American sunk his 5-foot putt, leaving Jacklin a 2-footer to share the Ryder Cup. Rather than make his opponent putt, Nicklaus conceded the shot, to the dismay of his captain, Sam Snead. Resulting in the first-ever Ryder Cup tie.
The then 29-year old told Jacklin, “I don't think you would have missed that putt, Tony. But, in the circumstances, I wasn't going to give you the opportunity.”
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Palm Beach Gardens, Florida - 1983
This was the year Team Europe really began to show it could compete with the U.S. Team. Featuring players from the continent including the incredible Seve Ballesteros, Europe might not have won the Cup in 1983 but the 14 ½-13 ½ score was the closest they had come to the Americans since tying in 1969.
Ballesteros proved he was a force to be reckoned with during the 1st match on Sunday. Having found the bunker on his second shot on the 18th, the Spanish golfer used his 3-wood to hit an astounding shot just short of the green. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus stated it was “the greatest shot I ever saw.”
Two years later Ballesteros and his team would win the Ryder Cup for the first time in 28 years.
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Dublin, Ohio – 1987
The Europeans had finally beat the Americans two years before at The Belfry, now the team, captained by Tony Jacklin were after their first win on U.S. soil. A difficult task considering the Americans were playing at Muirfield Village, a course designed and built by their captain, Jack Nicklaus.
First-time Ryder Cup player, Jose Maria Olazabal teamed up with fellow Spaniard, Seve Ballesteros to help propel Team Europe to its 15-13 victory. Olazabal’s dance across the 18th green was pure ecstasy!
Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland – 2006
Just weeks after the devastating loss of his wife Heather, Darren Clarke stepped up to the first tee at the Palmer Course of the K Club to a thunderous round of applause and cheers, from spectators and even his competitors. One of the captain’s wildcard picks, Clarke would go on to win 3 points for Team Europe as they beat the U.S. by a staggering 18 ½ - 9 ½.
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Louisville, Kentucky – 2008
2008 marked the end of Europe’s winning streak. Having claimed victory over the U.S. during the past three Ryder Cups the Americans charged ahead at Valhalla to win 16 ½ - 11 ½. But what sticks out from this year the most might surprise you.
After an impressive drive off the first tee on Sunday, America’s Boo Weekley was ready to celebrate. And what better way then a little “bull ride,” Happy Gilmore style.
Here’s a clip of Weekley “riding the bull” and then explaining the incredible adrenalin that comes from playing in a team setting. When asked if he likes hunting and fishing better then the Ryder Cup the American answers, “No, not right now. Not with the adrenalin I got, it ain’t nothing like shooting a deer.” Classic!
Medinah, Illinois – 2012
The most-recent Ryder Cup will be playing on the minds of both teams this month as they head to Gleneagles. With Europe hoping to ride the wave of success they experienced at Medinah, the Americans will be looking to redeem themselves.
Going into the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup, the U.S. led 10-6, requiring just 4 ½ points to win. In one of the greatest Ryder Cup comebacks to date, Jose Maria Olazabal’s team won 8 and tied one of 12 matches to claim victory. Nicknamed the “Miracle of Medinah,” team Europe showed incredible strength and determination making Martin Kaymer’s winning putt an incredible Ryder Cup moment.
