WHEN THE GOLF TURNED NASTY

This September television sets all over the Ribble Valley will be glued to the golf as Paris hosts the 42nd Ryder Cup, but as David Fearnhead recalls the friendly rivalry hasn’t always been so amiable

The War on the Shore, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA
27th-29th September, 1991
USA 141/2 – Europe 131/2

What happened to the genteel sport of golf?

“The Americans started losing,” former European Captain, Bernard Gallacher, would later reply. This was a clash of golfing Titans that would change the sport forever.

For decades the Ryder Cup had been a contest between gentleman, and at the end of three days of competition, the victors – almost always the US team – would be gracious in their victory.

But by 1991 that world of fair play on the fairways was ready to be blown apart. Still smarting from their defeat on home soil in 1987 and with the Gulf War still fresh in the memory, the US were fuelled up on a patriotic fervour that was to tear up the civilised coastal greens of South Carolina.

The two teams had tied in 1989, meaning that Europe had retained the trophy. America wanted it back and it seemed at any cost. US Captain Dave Stockton dressed his ‘troops’ in desert storm camouflage as the line between sport and war became increasingly blurred. A ‘wake the enemy’ campaign was even started by a local radio station.

They targeted Nick Faldo, amongst others, with 4am wake up calls and played back the golfers’ angry responses to listeners. Things were little better at the traditional ‘welcoming dinner’ when a USPGA official openly prayed to God for an American victory.

When the two teams finally took to the course, the Europeans walked into a cauldron of hate. Corey Pavin high-fived and fist-pumped his way around the course to chants of ‘U-S-A’. Meanwhile Paul Azinger’s ongoing feud with Severiano Ballesteros stepped up a notch: “The American team has 11 nice guys, and Paul Azinger,” the Spaniard said.

In response the Zinger accused Seve of developing a nasty cough which remarkably coincided with American Chip Beck’s backswing. As the US’s blistering early pace started to fade, Europe began to creep their way back into contention. It all came down to Bernard Langer’s 6ft putt for par. He missed. A one point victory went to an unrepentant American side.

The Battle of Brookline, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
24th-26th September, 1999
USA 141/2 – EUROPE 131/2

It was one of the most infamous moments in sport. The day a powder keg of American frustration would be lit under a game whose wounds were only just starting to heal. Whatever dramas had been played out before in the name of the Ryder Cup, nothing had come close to the final day at Brookline – this was a tale of suspense from the top drawer. To the Americans it was a story about the greatest comeback in golf. To the Europeans it was one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the sport.

The US team had faced a barrage of criticism. Branded self-centred, greedy superstars by not only the American media, but sensationally by their own captain, ‘Gentle’ Ben Crenshaw. By Saturday night they were in a crisis meeting. Trailing Europe by 10-6 they faced the serious possibility of losing their third straight Ryder Cup. No team had ever come back from a four point deficit after the first two days. If the US were to achieve what many believed to be the impossible, then they would have to defy the odds to do it.

However, European Captain Mark James’ tactics of only selecting his strongest players in the opening two days, was about to unravel as his untested novice players were sent out against a US team fighting for their reputation. As the singles closed out, the US had eight points for the day and needed just a half to secure the Ryder Cup.

Justin Leonard had trailed José María Olazábal by four holes with seven to play. Somehow he pulled himself back into contention to earn the vital half-point and give the US the narrowest of victories. But those final moments will be forever overshadowed by the US team invading the green before Olazábal even had a chance to sink his final putt.

The riotous scenes which accompanied America closing in on the cup were seen by many as a disgrace. Mark James, whose wife was spat upon during the competition, would later write a book on the tie. The title said it all, he penned it The Bear Pit.

The 42nd Ryder Cup takes place from 28th-30th September

(Photography: Mitch Gunn)

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