1969 Ryder Cup singles - Jacklin and Nicklaus

[@tor378a]

Just a remarkable act of sportsmanship from Jack. A class act all the way. Still the greatest ever (it requires more than just winning to be "great").

[@malcs0]

Nicklaus said later that British golf needed a champion like Jacklin. He wanted the Brits to believe they could challenge the all-conquering Americans. Therefore, with an amazing presence of mind, he picked up Jacklin's marker, not just as a sporting gesture, but also as a way of preserving Jacklin's status as a British sporting hero. Jacklin's attitude and manner toward that gesture was just as classy. They have remained on good terms ever since.

[@thomas-fq1wi]

me old mate sonny mcmullen on jacklins bag he tells some great stories from they days everyday in my glasgow golf shop 84 years young and still belting it round easter moffat golf course

[@jcrown7]

Love the old commentator who misses the significance of Nicklaus just picking up Jacklin's marker.

[@jasonpeters3558]

That would've been the perfect distance to choke on a short putt in a pressure situation. I have no doubt Jacklin misses it

[@jasonpeters3558]

Ryder Cup, in my top5 sports events to watch. 1. NCAA TOURNAMENT, men's basketball. 2. MLB Playoffs, World Series. 3. College Major Bowls 4. NFL playoffs 5. Ryder Cup 6. Major PGA Tourneys 7. Major ATP Tourneys

[@KAF128]

Pretty sure Henry knew exactly what it meant - he mentioned it 3 times down the 18th - that was his understated style.

[@robinmason1212]

This is an event which has attracted a great deal of praise for Big Jack and that's fine by me but I agree with Will Bick that the putt looks like a gimme. History has stretched it out to a three-footer. What puts Jack's gesture into context, in my opinion, is that the commentator, Henry Longhurst, didn't see anything worth mentioning in Jack's concession. Presumably this was because the putt he conceded was only about a foot in length. KAF128 suggests that HL did recognise the significance, on the basis that HL "mentioned it three times down the 18th". I don't follow this. It hadn't taken place at that point.

[@willbick3]

I think a bit too much has been read into it - the conceded putt seems to have got longer and longer over the years. It was a tiddler for gods sake!! Would have caused quite a furore if he'd asked him to putt it

[@ysgol3]

With respect, I absolutely disagree - look at the angle at 1.20 on the film. That putt was nearer 3 feet than 2. Sam Snead, the US Captain, reportedly went berserk with Jack for conceding it. I've often wondered what Jack would have done if he himself had missed. Jack has said, years ago, that he would have given it anyway, but of course we can never be sure.

[@ysgol3]

I've wondered for years what Jack actually said to Tony as he shook his hand. (By the way who was the maniac who laughed insanely as Jacklin left his last putt short and again as they shook hands ??) Anyway, I've finally lip-read (past tense) Jack's words -'I wouldn't appreciate it and I would never hear of that..'. Presumably the 'appreciate' bit meant he didn't want Tony to miss, and the 'never hear' indicated that was why Jack was giving Tony the putt.

[@johnnystir9796]

+ysgol3 According to Jack, "You wouldn't have missed it, and I wouldn't ever give you the chance."

[@ysgol3]

I know he's said this for years (and I do accept it was Jack who actually did the saying in the first place !!) but immediately after the concession, he said what I wrote - look at his lips ! He may of course have used the words he himself remembers as they left the green together.

[@MrAJR76]

Jacklin (speaking in 1985) recalled it like this: "His very words were: "I don't think you would have missed that, but I would never give you the opportunity under the circumstances" ".

[@ysgol3]

MrAJR - Thanks for your interest in my comment, please see my other response, I know both Tony and Jack (and unlike me they were there !!) recall different words, but please look at the film - that's what Jack said immediately after conceding. Of course the words you quote may well have been spoken as they left the green together, indeed it makes total sense to assume they were. But not immediately !!.......Unless the film has been doctored...no, hang on, it's only golf not the Kennedy assassination.(!!)

[@andrewrobinson8305]

He said to Jacklin: “I don’t think you would’ve missed that, but I would never give you the opportunity under the circumstances”.

[@striperseeker]

So much is made of this. The real concession should have been Jacklin to Nicklaus on the par putt. These are conceded all the time. You can even tell in the annoucers's demeanor. It was not a big deal. No, OMG, he's conceding the putt....nothing. Mr. Nicklaus, he's the consumet professional in all aspects of life. And Jacklin is one as well.

[@VinnMan]

Jack's putt was way too long to concede at that moment. Jacklin would have never heard the end of it, considering how the USA had been dominating the Ryder Cup back then.

[@jasonpeters3558]

Gotta make him putt that Bear

[@JewandGreek]

I agree. Jack was my idol but I would have been upset if I was on his team that year.