Magic moments
Sky Sports team relive their Ryder Cup best bits
Last updated: 10th September 2008
Ryder Cup: trophy was originally commissioned in 1927
The Ryder Cup history books are etched with magical moments.
From holes-in-one and winning putts to ecstatic celebrations, a plethora of players have written their name into golfing folklore at the sport's most illustrious event.
But who - or what - lives longest in the memory of the Sky Sports 2008 Ryder Cup commentary team?
Golf Night found out...
DAVID LIVINGSTONE
It has to be Sam Torrance's 2nd to the 18th at The Belfy on the final day in 1985. Yes, the putt that followed was fantastic but the pressure on that approach shot - the expectation of the fans and their reaction - proved that Sam had kept alive the dream of a European victory.
ROB LEE
My favourite Ryder Cup moment is not even a shot, it's actually Darren Clarke standing on the balcony at The K Club with a pint of Guinness in his hand, in front of his adoring Irish fans: straight down the hatch in one, huge applause and of course, it really was Darren Clarke's Ryder Cup.
EWEN MURRAY
One that is still fresh in my memory came from Oak Hill in 1995. It was the day Nick Faldo proved he was a truly wonderful golf champion: 94 yards to go, 18th hole.
HOWARD BOXALL
I can remember 21 years ago back in 1987, Eamonn Darcy gets to the final hole; he's playing Ben Crenshaw. Crenshaw has broken his putter so he's putting with a 3 iron and they're all square coming down the final hole. Eamonn Darcy's got about an 8 or a 9-footer down the hill to win the Ryder Cup; in it goes and then Darcy gives that little fist pump: 'You beauty!' Brilliant moment.
BRUCE CRITCHLEY
For me it has to be when Colin Montgomerie - for so many years the talisman of European teams - finally became the one to hole the winning putt at Oakland Hills in 2004.
TIM BARTER
I'll never forget the reception that Darren Clarke received when he walked onto the first tee at The K Club in 2006; the Irish crowd showing their appreciation for Darren's brave decision to play.
JOHN HAWKSWORTH
I'd have to go back to 1991 at Kiawah when Monty was playing Calcavecchia - Calcavecchia had a considerable lead; Monty had gone in the water and then Calcavecchia shanked it into the water. It epitomised the pressure the players were under trying to win for their nations. Monty had looked dead; I'll never forget the ball going at right angles into the water. I did feel sorry for him.
PETER OOSTERHUIS
In 1987 there was a very special moment on the 18th green at Muirfield Village: Jose Maria Olazabal doing his dance after the convincing victory of the European side. Europe was no surprise winner at that time, with so many major winners on the team, but it was still worth a great celebration. I loved what Olly did.
BUTCH HARMON
For me, the most memorable moment in the Ryder Cup was 1999 at Brookline on the 17th green; not because of the putt that Justin Leonard holed but because of the way the American fans - and players - reacted. I found it deplorable but I'm glad we won the match.
HOWARD CLARK
My favourite moment from the Ryder Cup matches would have to be from 1995 at Oak Hill. I managed to be very fortunate to hole-in-one at the 11th. A six-iron in hand against Peter Jacobsen; it's one of the moments I will never, ever forget.
MARK ROE
Out of so many, I'll go for 2002 at The Belfy, the final day's singles and the 16th green. Phillip Price - a normally reserved Welshman - putting down the hill to beat Phil Mickelson. Never before or since have I seen Phillip so animated - I was actually chuckling to myself! I was also very happy for him.
Got a Ryder Cup magic moment? Tell us by using the feedback box below...
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Comments
Tim Culshaw says...
Me again, as kevan says, you could be here all day, I was stood about 10 yards from Olazabal in 1993 at the 16th at the Belfrey he was with Joakim Haegman. They were 3 down and needed a birdie to stay alive, Ollie was in the front bunker and needed to hole it - he lined the break from behind the hole and took great time in looking at an area 4 feet from the hole where the bunker shot would land.... He spashed it out it took the break and he holed it - the noise around the green was incredible, even though they lost on 17th (if memory correct to Payne Stewart & Ray Floyd) it was an awesome moment, great to witness live - Only 1 week to go now for more magic moments!! enjoy.
Posted 16:54 12th September 2008
Kevan Shovlar says...
My memory takes me back to when Garcia played a putt up hill, at a right angle to the hole about 20 feet to go across the green to give his playing partner a free roll at the hole, i beleive in the same match Mongomerie played a delicate chip at a right angle dropping the ball in the long grass to kill it so it slowly ran down the hill to within inches of the hole. I could be here all day, god bless the Ryder Cup.
Posted 13:40 11th September 2008
Ronan Mcnamara says...
So, so incredible, and not live TV or even a point to win or lose; it was the delayed practice on the Wed at the K Club in 2006, over half a days practice was washed out due to a bad storm the night before. Late afternoon, a full stand (for practice!) opposite the green at dramatic par 5, 16th at the K Club, Darren Clarke (following the very recent death of his wife Heather, answers his captains call by playing), approaches the green to a standing and tearful ovation (practice!). I never saw so many people in my life, clap, smile, cheer and be tearful at the same time. So Brave Darren. Even better than Gareth Edwards try against the All Blacks in 1973:a Ryder Cup moment never to be forgotten: Thanks Darren!
Posted 23:38 10th September 2008
Tim Culshaw says...
Nice to know that someone remembers that 4-0 in 87, Yes i remember Lyle hitting in first, agree with you also the Walrus miss was incredible... a real chubby Guy, think also that Christy's 2 iron in 89 was special, he couldn't believe it
Posted 16:47 10th September 2008
The Lumpster says...
Mr Culshaw makes an interesting observation. However, he seems to have forgotten that just before Langer hit it stiff his partner, Sandy Lyle, had hit it to within a couple of feet which took an enormous amount of pressure off of Langer. It was a case of jib and counter jib. Defining moment for me was 1985 when the Walrus missed a tiny putt on the 18th green. I feel that was monumental in handing the European side some much needed momentum.
Posted 15:11 10th September 2008
Tim Culshaw says...
To me the afternoon fourballs in 1987 at Muirfield village, contributing toi the first overseas win was a pivotal moment and a signal that the tide had turned toward europe after so many years of US dominance. It was in the afternoon fourballs,Europe were 3-0 up with one match on the course, think it was Lanny wadkins who put is approach to about 3 feet good chance of a half, then Bernhard Langer playing with Sandy Lyle put it inside him about 18inches from the hole to win the match and complete an unprecedented whitewash, i remember Jacklin in raptures, to win a series 4-0 really was incredible,meant the team had strength in depth and set up the first win in America.
Posted 13:39 10th September 2008
Niall Smith says...
There's so many great moments for Europe, Christy O'Connor's 2-iron to the 18th in 1989, Faldo's comeback to seal a sensational win in 1995, and the last three wins have been magnificent, but for me the two moments that stand out are from US wins. Langer's miss on the last green at Kiawah. What tension and drama and then the American comeback at Brookline as painful as it is to remember for European fans
Posted 13:22 10th September 2008
Hugh O'connor says...
Even as a proud European, I've got to go with Azinger's holed bunker shot on the 18th against Fasth in 2002. The guy was under the greatest possible pressure and pulled that shot out of the bag - poor old Niclas thought he had the Cup for Europe, which he would have deserved, but luckily Paul holed his putt the next match down. The shot from Zinger just shows his guts and fighting spirit, and I for one would be more scared of the States this time if he was a playing captain.
Posted 10:30 10th September 2008
John Owen says...
Surely Tiger and Phil not even looking at each other in fourball play should get up there. What team spirit the US had that year! Wasn't it also the time that David Love was visible in the European team smoking cigars with Darren Clarke. Total unity!
Posted 16:02 9th September 2008
Marc Mcowens says...
My most memorable Ryder Cup moment was the singles match in 2004 between Darren Clarke and Davis Love. Both men played outstanding golf all the way through and if I had to choose one shot it would be Darren's chip in on 17 when it was tough enough to get up and down from here he was. However, what made this so great was the friendship between the two all the way round. Despite all the hollering from the crowd etc and even when Darren missed his short putt to win the match on 18 they both embraced each other at the finish and had been congratulating each other all the way round. That for me spoke volumes for the two men and hopefully made it clear to others the best way to play the game of golf.
Posted 13:36 9th September 2008
Steve Webster says...
Surprised there's not a mention for that man Faldo's winning putt against Curtis Strange to tilt the match in Europe's favour (Oak Hill 1995). Memorable for the sheer pressure on show and by the reaction afterwards.
Posted 12:43 9th September 2008
John Halliday says...
my best ryder cup memory was the 2002 matches at the belfry. colin montgomerie for the full week played some of the best golf ever but when asked to lead from the front on sunday he did so with such character and conviction. the putt he holes on the first green really set the tone for a fantastic european victory.
Posted 18:35 8th September 2008
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