Those were the days 1973: A worm’s-eye view of the Ryder Cup

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THE Britain and Ireland team, captained by Bernard Hunt, was the underdog at the 1973 Ryder Cup at Muirfield but it put up a strong display on the first day, opening up a three-point lead over the Americans, who were captained by Jack Burke.

The British team, however, suffered a blow when Bernard

Gallacher had to withdraw temporarily when he came down with a stomach upset. A bug seemed to have been going around: three officials in the US team and one US player, Dave Hill, also complained of feeling unwell.

Gallacher was replaced at short notice by Peter Butler, who holed his tee-shot at the 16th, courtesy of a three iron from 188 yards. It was the Ryder Cup’s first hole-in-one, and the seventh of Butler’s career. Gallacher was able to reclaim his place in the side.

The American team, however, ran out strong winners.

The Glasgow Herald’s golf correspondent Raymond Jacobs, observing the relative strengths of professional golf on both sides of the Atlantic, wrote: “Long ago the realisation must have dawned that the match was an exhibition of skills, not a contest between equals. The American victory at Muirfield on Saturday by six points, 19-13, simply confirmed the distinction”. It was Britain’s 16th defeat in 20 matches.

Some 28,000 people watched the tournament, which was being held in Scotland for the first time. Among the big names taking part were Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf, Tony Jacklin, Peter Oosterhuis, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

The competition also gave rise to lots of striking photographs: above, Billy Casper, Jacklin and Weiskopf examine a worm on the putting line. The main image shows then prime minister Ted Heath shaking hands with Trevino on the 13th fairway. Mr Heath presented the cup to Jack Burke.