The 1973 Ryder Cup ended on this date at Muirfield, Scotland, with the U.S. beating Great Britain & Ireland, 19-13. It was the first year to have Ireland in the team title.
Captain Paul Azinger’s infamous pod system helped the American team stop a three-match losing streak on this date in 2008 to win the Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club, 16½-11½, against Europe.
Among the major results on this date, two big ones were Francis Ouimet’s playoff victory over Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the U.S. Open at The Country Club, and the 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale in England, which ended in a 16-16 draw when Jack Nicklaus famously conceded Tony Jacklin’s three-foot putt in their singles match on the final hole to ensure a tie in the overall score and their contest.
The 2004 Ryder Cup ended on this date at Oakland Hills Country Club with Europe retaining the trophy with a whomping over the United States, 18½-9½, the largest margin of victory by the American opponent in the series.
The 1971 Ryder Cup ended on this date with the American team beating Great Britain, 18½-13½, at Old Warson Country Club.
The 1949 Ryder Cup ended on this date at Ganton Golf Club with the United States defeating Great Britain, 7-5, aided by a U.S. blitz of winning six of eight singles games.
With the next Ryder Cup next week at Whistling Straits, we note on this date in 1979 that the U.S. won 17-11, at The Greenbrier. It was the first time Europe played the U.S., replacing the Great Britain & Ireland opposing side.
The next Ryder Cup is just a week away at Kohler, Wisconsin. The 1985 Ryder Cup ended on this date at The Belfry in England with Europe winning a pivotal battle, 16½-11½ over the U.S.
Tradition says on this date in 1868 that Young Tom Morris made the first hole in one in golf on the 8th hole at Prestwick in Scotland.
A pair of Open Championships ended on this date. In 1866, at Prestwick Golf Club, Willie Park Sr. won for the third time, and in 1872, also at Prestwick, Tom Morris, Jr. won a fourth straight time (no championship was held in 1871).
Argentinian golfer Angel Cabrera was born on this day in 1969 in Córdoba. Cabrera won the 2007 U.S. Open and 2009 Masters but has recently been in legal trouble for domestic violence.
Golf history goes silent today in tribute to the 9-11 victims in the terrorist attack on American land in New York City, Washington, D.C., and land near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Appropriate on a day like today that the last name would be a reminder of a sad golf stroke: the shank.
The most loved golfer in history, Arnold Palmer, a seven-time major champion, was born on this date in 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Two years ago on this date, Brian Barnes, an English player, died at age 74. Barnes was one of the great characters in the game and played in the Ryder Cup from 1969 to 1979.
On this date in 1955, PGA Tour rookie Arnold Palmer shot a 78 at the Cavalcade of Golf in the first round then withdrew rather than continue with such a bad score.
It was just a year ago on this date that Dustin Johnson won the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club by three shots over Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele for a FedEx Cup victory.
In the same year that Francis Ouimet won his historic U.S. Open title, 1913, the 19th U.S. Amateur was won on this date by Jerry Travers.
This is the time of year when the U.S. Amateur is played and two past playings ended on this date. In 1925, Bobby Jones won the 29th Amateur and in 1982 Jay Sigel won the 82nd, that one held at The Country Club near Boston.
A pair of Hall of Fame golfers were born on this date. Tom Watson was born in Kansas City in 1949; Raymond Floyd was birthed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1942.
On this date in 1936, the U.S. blanked Great Britain, 9-0, in the Walker Cup held at lauded Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, New Jersey.