Veteran golfer Tom Watson is the United States' Ryder Cup captain in 2014. It is the second time he has been chosen as skipper -- in 1993 he led the U.S. to victory over Europe in Birmingham, England.
Captain Watson —
Veteran golfer Tom Watson is the United States' Ryder Cup captain in 2014. It is the second time he has been chosen as skipper -- in 1993 he led the U.S. to victory over Europe in Birmingham, England.
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Watson (back row, 2nd from right) made his first Ryder Cup appearance in 1977, the last time it pitted the U.S. against Great Britain and Ireland -- European golfers were included from 1979. Watson says seeing the flag go up at the opening ceremony was a defining moment in his life. The U.S. won 12½ - 7½.
Debut appearance —
Watson (back row, 2nd from right) made his first Ryder Cup appearance in 1977, the last time it pitted the U.S. against Great Britain and Ireland -- European golfers were included from 1979. Watson says seeing the flag go up at the opening ceremony was a defining moment in his life. The U.S. won 12½ - 7½.
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Watson's second appearance in 1981 also came on English shores, this time at Walton Heath in Surrey. He teamed up with 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus and they comfortably won all three matches.
Potent pairing —
Watson's second appearance in 1981 also came on English shores, this time at Walton Heath in Surrey. He teamed up with 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus and they comfortably won all three matches.
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Though Watson lost his singles match it mattered little -- the U.S. won emphatically by 18½ - 9½. It remains Europe's biggest margin of defeat in Ryder Cup history.
Emphatic win —
Though Watson lost his singles match it mattered little -- the U.S. won emphatically by 18½ - 9½. It remains Europe's biggest margin of defeat in Ryder Cup history.
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The 1983 contest was a different story altogether, as the Europeans missed out on a first victory by just one point in Florida. The U.S. team, captained by Nicklaus, won 14½ - 13½. Watson won four out of his five matches, including a crucial singles match with Bernard Gallacher, having been put out in the pivotal final position by his skipper.
Titanic tussle —
The 1983 contest was a different story altogether, as the Europeans missed out on a first victory by just one point in Florida. The U.S. team, captained by Nicklaus, won 14½ - 13½. Watson won four out of his five matches, including a crucial singles match with Bernard Gallacher, having been put out in the pivotal final position by his skipper.
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After missing the next two installments, Watson was picked by U.S. captain Raymond Floyd in 1989. He won his singles match against Sam Torrance but a 14-14 draw meant Europe retained the trophy in what was his last Ryder Cup as a player.
Back in the fold —
After missing the next two installments, Watson was picked by U.S. captain Raymond Floyd in 1989. He won his singles match against Sam Torrance but a 14-14 draw meant Europe retained the trophy in what was his last Ryder Cup as a player.
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As captain in 1993, back at the Belfry, Watson again went head-to-head with longtime adversary Gallacher, as the U.S. looked to win for a second consecutive time.
Skip to the beat —
As captain in 1993, back at the Belfry, Watson again went head-to-head with longtime adversary Gallacher, as the U.S. looked to win for a second consecutive time.
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The match was neck-and-neck going into the singles, but the Americans overturned a one-point deficit to win 15-13. It remains the last time they won on European soil, so can Watson repeat the feat in Scotland this year?
Striking gold —
The match was neck-and-neck going into the singles, but the Americans overturned a one-point deficit to win 15-13. It remains the last time they won on European soil, so can Watson repeat the feat in Scotland this year?
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