I love these old videos. Poor Calc, the guy is an absolute pro's pro, and he just puked all over his shoes. First the shank off the tee on 17 and then the 2 footer miss--are you kidding me? I had forgotten all about that hole, he had it in the bag! I like Calc, he's a good guy, that was really hard to watch. I'd have gotten physically ill too if that happened to me. Great post-- thank you.
I know the famous controversial Ryder Cup was 1999 for what happened with US team running around the green before Olazabal had his putt, but this Ryder Cup was another level... the normally dominant US team had lost 3 in a row, Europe were loaded with Superstars at their peak, so they were desperate! All this against the backdrop of the 1st Gulf War, tensions were high! I still think it's the most nerve-jangling, tense battle in Ryder Cup history. The course definitely contributed to it, especially 17, so it's no shock players from both sides struggled mentally during & after.
Saw it live when this happened. The "you've got to be kidding me" comment cracks me up every time. I was laughing, but I know for Calc, it was pure torture.
This was a “Jean Van De Velde-Esk” choke. The fact that he still had a 2-footer to win the match on 17 after that horrible tee shot, and missed it, my gosh how awful. Feel really bad for him but at least his team still won the Cup.
Amazing what pressure does to people. I could have putted that 2 footer on the 17th in a normal situation. Put me in a Ryder cup match though and who knows??
For 14 holes he played like a multi major winning world number 1. Then suddenly turned into a 26 handicapper. He just went to pieces. Was sick when Europe lost but looking back if they'd have won I'm not sure he ever would have forgiven himself.
Played there in 2003 from the white tees. Great condition course but not any harder than most courses I've played. I imagine the tips would have been a different degree of difficulty.
If somebody walked up to him at the and said "thats golf" i think mark would have punched the person , hate when people say that , it doesnt make sense , can you elaborate on that a bit??
Pretty simple it is a game with tiny margins for error. 36 handicappers every now and then will hit shots that pros would be proud of. Pros every now and then hit shots so bad that for a spilt second you would think they are a beginner. Every single round delivers great shots and terrible shots for almost every player at every level. And some breaks go your way some dont. So when people say thats golf they are defining the nature of the sport to someone who has not had the rub of the green go their way in a sport where the rub of the green can very very easily go in any direction. Hope that helps.
