What Jack Nicklaus told Tony Jacklin after conceding putt to him on the last hole at the Ryder Cup in iconic moment

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Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin have gone down as golfing legends, with an unforgettable Ryder Cup incident among their iconic feats.

Nicklaus played on six American Ryder Cup teams throughout his stunning career, as well as captaining the side on two occasions.

Jacklin meanwhile played in seven Ryder Cup tournaments and was a captain four times, with the team having progressed from Great Britain to Great Britain & Ireland, and then to Europe.

Luke Donald now occupies the role of European Ryder Cup captain, with Keegan Bradley keen to stay on as USA captain despite potentially playing at the event.

And it is the USA who will host the next edition of the team tournament, with Bethpage Black chosen as the venue for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

What Jack Nicklaus said to Tony Jacklin after 1969 Ryder Cup conceded putt

Team Europe are the current holders of the prestigious trophy, having triumphed 16½–11½ in Rome in 2023.

But a completely different scenario played out at Royal Birkdale back in 1969, when the Ryder Cup was tied for the very first time, resulting in the US retaining the trophy.

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And legendary figure Nicklaus recalled that tournament for Golf in 2021, noting: “I played on six Ryder Cup teams, from 1969 to 1981, and was the captain for the first time in 1983.

“We won all of those events except for the first, which we tied. That is, the American team and the team from Great Britain & Ireland tied.

“That’s the year I conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin on 18 in the final singles pairing that meant a halved match, and the first tie in Ryder Cup history.

“It wasn’t premeditated or orchestrated. It was just the right thing to do. Just two months earlier, Tony had become the first British player to win The Open Championship in 18 years.

“He was Britain’s hero. As I told Tony on the 18th green, I didn’t think he would have missed that putt, but I wasn’t going to give him the chance.

“No one wants the outcome of a three-day goodwill match to hinge on one player possibly missing one short putt. Every Ryder Cup captain I have asked since has agreed it was the right decision.”

Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin inspire Ryder Cup award

The conceded putt has inspired a prestigious honour at the Ryder Cup, with the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award now in place.

Honouring the two legends, it is awarded to the player who best embodies the true spirit of the competition.

READ MORE: The 12 players Dan Rapaport believes should make up America’s Ryder Cup team for Bethpage Black currently

Europe’s Justin Rose received the prize after the 2023 Ryder Cup, following in the footsteps of Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia.

While Nicklaus’s spirit lives on at the Ryder Cup, it is seemingly unlikely that such a scenario would play out in the modern game.

Tensions are often very high at the tournament, with home supporters making it even more difficult for the visiting players to win.

The atmosphere is often hostile, and that is very likely going to be the case for Donald and his players at Bethpage Black.

As the countdown continues, Rory McIlroy has qualified for the European Ryder Cup team, with his PGA Tour rival Scottie Scheffler having done the same for the USA.