The 1969 Ryder Cup eventually hinged on the last singles match between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin. History will record that Jacklin somehow ignored the pressures of the moment and holed a 50-foot eagle putt on the 17th hole at Royal Birkdale Golf Club against Jack Nicklaus to remain alive in their match.

"It was one of the putts of my life, one of those you dream about making," said Jacklin. "You rarely hole a putt of that length when you really, really need it. For it to happen at that time was idyllic."

With the outcome of the match hanging in the balance, Jack Nicklaus conceded a two-foot putt to Tony Jacklin on the last green resulting in the first tie in the matches' history with the U.S. retaining the Cup. The pair left the green with their arms around each other's shoulders. That singular act of charity is roundly considered one of the grandest gestures of sportsmanship ever.

When Jacklin took the helm in 1983, the matches were again in danger of being compromised by continued U.S. success. Nobody better understood its importance than Jacklin.

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