Ryder Cup Reflections

Captains and players remember their Ryder Cup experiences

From the feelings of national pride to the teamwork and the format itself, the Ryder Cup is certainly one of golf's most unique competitions. The tradition will continue this year in Wales where Celtic Manor will be the site of the latest biennial clash between the United States and Europe. This will be the 38th event since the matches began in 1929 and over the years there have been plenty of memories forged, both triumphant and painful. Searching the Golf Digest archives for past interviews, we take a look back and highlight some of the aspects that make the Ryder Cup special through the words of those who have experienced it firsthand.

-- Alex Myers

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PRESSURE

Hale Irwin (Golf Digest, June 2003) On the intensity at the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah's Ocean Course:

"You don't win three U.S. Opens without having some ability to handle pressure. But the 1991 Ryder Cup was another animal. I wasn't playing particularly well, and I'm playing Bernhard Langer, one of the toughest players of all time. As the day went on, it got more and more intense. By the time we reached the 17th hole, it became difficult to breathe. I was 1 up but missed the green with my tee shot. As I'm walking to the green I see Seve Ballesteros talking to a teammate in Spanish. Trying to keep things light, I say, 'Hey, Seve, what did you say?' He looked at me and says, 'I said, "Too bad you didn't knock it in the water." ' That didn't bother me at all. He's competitive. That's fine."

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