Hale Irwin on NIL, the equipment debate and the Pete Dye tip that may have helped the U.S. win the 1991 Ryder Cup
Simon Bruty
As Bernhard Langer stood over a six-foot putt on the 18th hole at Kiawah Island in the 1991 Ryder Cup his opponent, Hale Irwin, could only muster up one thought.
"I hope he doesn't know what I know."
What Irwin knew was a tip given to him by Pete Dye, who designed the famed Ocean Course. Irwin had played a practice round with the legendary architect at Kiawah prior to "The War on the Shore," and Dye informed him that the 18th green at the Ocean Course breaks more from back to front than you think.
Langer didn't know, and his putt missed on the low side, securing a 14.5-13.5 win for the U.S. side. Dye's tip may not have helped the U.S. side make an actual putt, but it didn't help the European side make one, either.
"That's just one of those little things that you can pick up if you spend just an extra moment or two, noticing things," said Irwin, who joined us on this week's episode of The Loop podcast.
The three-time U.S. Open champ was full of great stories, and some spicy takes on the state of golf, in our full interview, which can be heard below. Please, have a listen, and like and subscribe to The Loop wherever you get your podcasts: