As they shook hands, he said to Tony: “I know you wouldn’t have missed that putt but I didn’t want to give you the opportunity to try.”

This gesture has come to be known as the concession and to commemorate the moment, Nicklaus and Jacklin collaborated on a golf course on the West Coast of Florida called The Concession Golf Club.

In 1975 they played two single matches on the final day. Jack was beaten by Brian Barnes in the morning session and asked his captain, Arnold Palmer, to play Barnes again in the afternoon. Palmer approached his opposition, Bernard Hunt, who agreed, and Barnes went out and promptly beat him again in the afternoon.

Tom Weiskopf once told me a great story about when he played with Jack as his partner in the 1973 Ryder Cup played at the Muirfield.

Tom had hit his second shot in to 10 feet and Jack was on the same line, but about five feet further away. He asked Jack if he wanted him to move his marker. Jack said: “Tom, you can pick it up.” Weiskopf, thinking he hadn’t heard correctly, asked again. Jack responded: “Tom. I’m going to hole this, so you won’t need to putt. Pick it up.” Tom did as he was told and Jack holed it, of course.

Sam Torrance, a very old friend, was a Ryder Cup regular, playing eight times from 1981 to 1995.

In 1985, Sam sank the winning putt that won the trophy for Europe for the first time in 28 years and in 2002 he captained the European Tour. Over all these years, he got to know Jack really well. A few years ago, Sam approached Jack and said, “Jack, I’d like to tell you something.”

Jack was a little wary of Sam, who is known for his sense of humour. Jack said: “What, Sam?” and Sam, in his distinctive, gravelly voice responded: “You know Jack, in every one of the over 100 Majors I won in my dreams, you came second.” Jack just loved that.

Since that 1985 triumph, the USA has only won the Ryder Cup six times. Europe won outright 11 times and retained the trophy in 1989 when the event ended in a 14-all draw. In the last seven editions, Europe leads the USA 4-3 and they do appear to have the advantage in the 2023 staging in Spain this October. The last time Europe lost a home match was in 1993, when they narrowly lost 15-13 at The Belfry.

South Africa’s Dale Hayes is a former professional golfer with an illustrious record in the sport. His 21 professional wins include the 1971 Spanish Open, the 1974 World Cup of Golf in partnership with Bobby Cole, and 13 titles on the Sunshine Tour. He also won the European Tour Order of Merit in 1975. Since retiring from the pro golf circuit he has remained active in the sport as the principal of an event management company and a popular and respected commentator.

South Africa’s Dale Hayes is a former professional golfer with an illustrious record in the sport. His 21 professional wins include the 1971 Spanish Open, the 1974 World Cup of Golf in partnership with Bobby Cole, and 13 titles on the Sunshine Tour. He also won the European Tour Order of Merit in 1975. Since retiring from the pro golf circuit he has remained active in the sport as the principal of an event management company and a popular and respected commentator.

He also won the European Tour Order of Merit in 1975. Since retiring from the pro golf circuit he has remained active in the sport as the principal of an event management company and a popular and respected commentator.

South Africa’s Dale Hayes is a former professional golfer with an illustrious record in the sport. His 21 professional wins include the 1971 Spanish Open, the 1974 World Cup of Golf in partnership with Bobby Cole, and 13 titles on the

Sunshine Tour. He also won the European Tour Order of Merit in 1975. Since retiring from the pro golf circuit he has remained active in the sport as the principal of an event management company and a popular and respected commentator.