Golf special

Ryder Cup memories:

Going over to Oak Hill, everyone in the team wanted to win the Ryder Cup for Bernard Gallacher.

He was a great captain.

I had my own motivation, as 1993 had been such a disappointment.

I had to pull out after the opening Foursomes at The Belfry because I had a blister under my toe nail and had my nail removed.

I didn’t want that to be my last Ryder Cup, and I put all my efforts into making the team for 1995.

As it was, the three days at Oak Hill were the best I ever played, tee- to-green in the Ryder Cup.

I partnered Costantino Rocca twice in the Foursomes, and we gelled so well. We won 3&2 and 6&5, and I’ve still got the bruises from Costantino getting a hole-in-one! It was like being hugged by a bear! We won the Saturday Foursomes 3-1 to draw level, but then lost the afternoon Fourballs to be two behind going into the Singles.

We had never come from behind on the final day before.

Seve had gone off first, and we all knew his golf wasn’t there.

But the way he fought for nine or 10 holes was extraordinary, and inspired the rest of us.

I took that on to the course, and beat Loren Roberts 2&1.

What happened elsewhere was so exciting. For Nick to beat Curtis Strange from one down with two to play was huge.

David Gilford beating Brad Faxon on the 18th was another huge moment.

Coming up the last, David was one up, but he had gone over the back and was in an impossible position. Faxon was in the greenside bunker.

David ended up holing a good putt for a five whereas Faxon, the best putter in the game, missed from about seven feet.

I still remember on the last green, Bernard hugging Philip Walton, and telling him he’d won the Ryder Cup for Europe. Philip’s reply was: “Have I?” Magic! The 1987 team at Muirfield Village that won in America for the first time was the best I was ever part of. But every win was special.

We flew home on Concorde with the trophy and the celebrations were great. It was a special way for me to sign off in the Ryder Cup.

I was so pleased for Bernard, who has been a great friend all my life.