Jack Nicklaus has had a great relationship with the Ryder Cup throughout his illustrious career in the game.
Nicklaus’ most famous Ryder Cup moment came in 1969, when he conceded a two-foot putt to British Tony Jacklin on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale, becoming the first player in tournament history to tie the score.
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It was a remarkable display of sportsmanship from Nicklaus, who told Jacklin immediately afterwards: “I was sure you would hole out that putt, but I wasn’t ready to see you miss.“
In the early days of the Ryder Cup, there was a decidedly competitive spirit, but there was still a very friendly spirit.
Nicklaus was a true gentleman of the game and embodied that spirit throughout his career.
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Although Jack Nicklaus was the sixth highest-scoring American in the Ryder Cup, it is noteworthy that he did not represent the United States in this tournament until he had already won seven major championships.
That’s because the rules at the time stated that you had to be a member of the PGA Tour for five years to play on a Ryder Cup team.
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Why Jack Nicklaus’ 2016 Ryder Cup remarks were so wrong
Considering Nicklaus’ influence on the Ryder Cup throughout his playing days, the opinions he shared about the tournament a decade ago were pretty strange, to say the least.
Ahead of the 2016 Ryder Cup in Hazeltine, Nicklaus shared his true feelings about the tournament.
“The contest is a coincidence for me,“ Kanekuma’s claims were controversial.
“Who wins the bragging rights – and I know everyone wants to win – but that’s not the point. What is important is good relationships and goodwill between golf and people.
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“The Ryder Cup means a little more to me than I think. I think it’s a friendly event. It’s a great event that we can brag about to Europe or brag about to America.”
Photo credit: Tony Roberts/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
“That’s a great format. It’s a great competition.
“There are a lot of good things about it, but I pray that such a war will not break out because of it. ”
Sorry Mr. Niklaus, but times have changed.
Why Jack Nicklaus missed the point of the Ryder Cup
Indeed, the Ryder Cup began as an exhibition match between the United States and Great Britain.
But like all great sporting events, it has evolved over the past 98 years, especially since the 1991 Coastal War on Kiawah Island.
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Gone are the days when matches were played in a friendly spirit.
The Ryder Cup is now an absolute giant in the world of golf.
European and American players desperately want to win, not just for bragging rights, but to strengthen their legacy and leave an indelible mark on the game.
The increased funding, sponsorship, and fan interest that has poured into the game over the past few decades have all contributed to the Ryder Cup’s exponential growth.
Jack Nicklaus regularly offers incredibly disturbing and accurate views on the state of the professional game, but he missed a major point with his comments about the 2016 Ryder Cup.
