Keegan Bradley has one wish as he contemplates his decision, as he contemplates his decision as to whether he should be the first Ryder Cup, playing the American captain in the first Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
“I wish he was alive and could call him,” Bradley said, referring to Palmer, who passed away in 2016.
Palmer’s advice would have been wise and pointed out, but it is impossible to know what the golf icon tells Bradley exactly
It is likely to believe that Palmer encourages Bradley to be a good fit. After all, “You need to play boldly” stands in one of Palmer’s most famous quotes. However, Palmer was concerned about winning first and foremost. Taking that track, he probably told Bradley to do anything he believed would increase the US’s chances of securing a victory over Europe.
A seven-time major champion, Palmer was a pioneer and a thrill seeker. In 1976 he set a world record by patrolling the earth at Learjet – 57 hours, 25 minutes and 42 seconds. He often took bold, risk-averse shots on golf courses. And while that gunslinger mentality contributed to some heartbreaking losses, it also tore one of the most historic successful runs in golf history, while becoming a signing player for the game.
However, his ultimate decision to play while captaining the 1963 US Ryder Cup team was not to make history. It was a by-product of the situation.
Palmer was still considered the world’s biggest golfer, but his reign was in the midst of being overtaken by Jack Nicklaus. Earn his first major at Palmer’s expense 1962.
On all accounts, Nicklaus’ inclusion in the Ryder Cup team would have been Palmer’s layup decision. However, the American PGA had a provision requiring him to be a player for at least five years before he could qualify for competing in the Ryder Cup. Nicklaus, who became a professional late in the 1961 season, was not eligible to represent his country in biennial competitions.
The regulations hit the nerves of Palmer, who admitted that he was “deeply annoyed” to not be able to compete in the 1959 Ryder Cup. Instead, Palmer had to wait another two years before joining the 1961 Ryder Cup, a five-point victory for the Americans.
Nicklaus’ absence in 1963 left a donut-sized hole in the US roster. Coupled with the fact that the Americans would send a team that includes four Ryder Cup rookies – Tony Lema, Billy Maxwell, Johnny Pott and Dave Lagan, Palmer felt compelled to assume the dual roles as player and captain.
If anyone could fill Nicklaus’ shoes, it was 33-year-old Palmer who won six of the seven major titles at that time. Nicklaus will far outperform Palmer as the biggest major winner in golf history, but it was fitting that he made history by playing a double role, as the sport of the 1960s was largely dominated by Palmer.
The American, led by Palmer, won a 23-9 victory over the UK in the Ryder Cup, one of the biggest winning margins in history by US teams. Individually, Palmer went 3-1 in pairs and 1-1 in singles. He won one of the pair’s matches between best friend and 1958 PGA champion Dow Finsterwald and three major winner Billy Casper, who handed Palmer one of the most crushed defeats of the 1966 US Open.
As important as Palmer’s performance was his handling of the four rookies on his team as captain. On the first day of the competition, foursome at four mornings and fourpm, Palmer decided to put his rookie into the competition early.
In the morning he paired the pot with himself. Raygan has been paired with Casper, Lema and 43-year-old Julius Boros. In the first afternoon pairing, Maxwell played alongside Bob Goalby, who won the 1968 Masters. Ironically, the Palmer Pot was one of four two two. Despite their losses, the US scored 2.5 out of the four possible points, setting the stage for its dominant victory.
Palmer eventually made six appearances in the Ryder Cup between 1961 and 1973, and again served as American team captain in 1975. He was 22-8-2 in the Ryder Cup match, and to this day he remains the best leader ever in US matches. Palmer never lost the Ryder Cup as a player or captain. In 1963, he won, playing both roles.
Palmer did not hinder the 1963 team by playing while captaining. In fact, his leadership in both abilities was a major part of the American persuasive victory and thus an important part of his iconic legacy.
“I loved the Ryder Cup because the Ryder Cup wasn’t about playing for money,” Palmer once said. “It was about playing for something much more epic and more personal, and I’m proud of what the Ryder Cup did for me.
“This game brings out the best of us, and the best always brings out their game with the Rider Cup.”
