After Days of Feuds, Intimidation and Ugly Clashes, Jack Nicklaus Delivered the Ryder Cup’s Most Iconic Gesture

On a grey September evening in 1969, more than 10,000 spectators crowded around the 18th green at Royal Birkdale, knowing that one short putt would decide the Ryder Cup. Great Britain and Ireland and the United States were level at 15½ points each, and the final match between Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus stood all square. But this was no ordinary sporting climax. The week had been marked by hard words, disputed putts, and near-physical confrontations, and the tension had followed them to the final green.