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As intense as the Ryder Cup can be, it also has its reasonable proportion of moments that make your eyes up well.
Here are six of the most heartwarming moments in the almost 100-year-old Ryder Cup story.
Rory comes in full circle
Rory McIlroy caught warm in 2009 when he called the Ryder Cup “an exhibition” that was “not so important” to him.
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Overall of fans and spectators during Saturday Fourball matches on PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterards, Scotland. (Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated Via Getty Images)
Well, Team Europe was Walloped on Whistling Straits in 2021, and it was clear that he had done a total of 180 from his previous thoughts.
“The more and more I play in this event, I realize it’s the best event in golf, bore none,” McIlroy said, fought back tears. “I love to be a part of it. I can’t wait to be part of many more. It’s the best …
“They’ve always been my greatest experiences in my career. I’ve never really cried or became emotional about what I’ve done as an individual. I couldn’t give an S —, but this team and how it feels … all this, it’s phenomenal and I’m so happy to be part of it.”
Seve is looking down on Europe
The Ryder Cup in 2012 in Medinah was the first since Seve Ballesteros, an important factor in what the Ryder Cup is today, died at the age of 54 of brain cancer.
Ballesteros put Team Europe on the map as Team Britain and Ireland expanded to include the entire continent, making him a cornerstone.
Team Europe drew 10-6 into Sunday’s singles on the road. In honor of Ballesteros, Team Europe Bear the touch of its typical navy blue on Sunday to summon some magic, and it worked.
Europeans went 8-3-1 in Sunday’s singles to win the cup, 14.5-13.5, uncovered by Martin Kaymers Cup-Clinching Putt.
After the victory, Team Europe Captain and colleague Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal could hardly keep her feelings in check.
“This one is for him,” he said, covering his face with his hat.
A heavy heart
Darren Clarke, a fan favorite abroad, played in his fifth Ryder Cup in 2006. But he played only six weeks after his wife’s death.
Clarke went into the K -club in Ireland with a heavy heart, but the fans gave him by far the highest ovations far all week.
Clarke won all three of his matches, including a 3 & 2 victory victory against Zach Johnson, where Clarke almost instantly collapsed in tears and shared Long embrace with members of Team USA.
Europe’s Darren Clarke, right, celebrates with Henrik Stenson on the 16th green during day 3 of the Ryder Cup at the K -club in County Kildare. (David Davies/Getty Images)
Nicklaus admits
Perhaps the best moment of sportsmanship in 1969 found at Royal Birkdale in England in a singles camp between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin.
After Nicklaus paired on the 18th, the US had enough points to keep the Ryder Cup so all of Europe could do was to lose directly. But Nicklaus picked up Jacklin’s ball marker and admitted the 3-foot putt, resulting in the Ryder Cup ending in a draw.
“I don’t think you would have missed it, but I wouldn’t give you the chance either,” Nicklaus told Jacklin.
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Maybe it was a win-win for Nicklaus (although US captain Sam Snead was said to be angry with Nicklaus for losing the possibility of a direct win), but it has since become a Staple Ryder Cup moment. From 2021, the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award is awarded to members of each team that best exemplifies sports. The duo also designed the concession golf club in Sarasota.
Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy realizes the moment
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed were the first single match on Sunday at Hazeltine, and both showed incredible feelings throughout 18 holes. McIlroy would rush the US audience after Putts, while Reed would bow to their applause.
On the pair-three eighth hole, McIlroy was far away, approx. 45 meters to Reed 15. But after making the almost impossible putt, McIlroy let the same golfer who said he would not “run around the fist” during a Ryder Cup, let an ending scream out and shout, “F — ing get on! I can’t hear you!”
But Reed knocked his putt down and gave McIlroy the old Dikembe Mutombo Finger Wag.
However, McIlroy could not avoid cracking a smile, and after celebrating with the crowd, Reed and McIlroy were fist and clapped each other on the back.
It may remain the most tense single game of all time, and this moment does not tear exactly on the heart strings, but even both golfers were able to recognize the beauty of a magical moment.
Rivals find respect
Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo were two of the largest golf rivals before the turn of the century.
Both masters of their craft from abroad had the two very different styles of play and attitudes, all while trying to beat each other on the field.
Nick Faldo from the European team celebrates his last day’s singles win with Team Mate Seve Ballesteros in the Ryder Cup at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. (David Cannon/Allsport)
But in 1995, when Faldo dropped Cup-Clinching Putt, was one of the first people to hug him, Ballesteros who held back tears.
After Ballesteros died, Faldo Ballesteros credited to help make the Ryder Cup what it is today.
