Tony Jacklin was born on this day in 1944. An English golfer, who was the most successful British player of his generation, winning two major championships. He was also the most successful European Ryder Cup captain ever.
Jacklin may be best remembered as a playing member of the “Great Britain and Ireland” team in 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1977, and of the first European team in 1979. Except for a tie in 1969, all of those teams were defeated.
Jacklin was involved in one of the most memorable moments in Ryder Cup history at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in 1969. After his eagle putt on the 17th evened his match with Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus conceded Jacklin’s two-foot putt on the 18th, halving the match, and ending the Ryder Cup with a tied score. “The Concession” ended with the two golfers walking off the course with arms around each other’s shoulders. Jacklin and Nicklaus later co-designed a golf course in Florida called “The Concession” to commemorate the moment.
