From the famous concession by Jack Nicklaus to Tony Jacklin in 1969 at Royal Birkdale to Martin Kaymer’s nerve-jangling putt to complete the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, The Ryder Cup has been full of brilliant moments over the years.
Now VisitScotland and Sky Sports have launched an exciting campaign to find the nation’s favourite Ryder Cup Brilliant Moment in the history of the competition ahead of the matches at Gleneagles in September.
Launched by Sky Sports lead golf presenter David Livingstone and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, the campaign features 10 brilliant moments from the 87-year history of The Ryder Cup as chosen by Sky Sports analysts Colin Montgomerie and Butch Harmon.
Featuring brilliant moments such as Sam Torrance’s winning putt at The Belfry in 1985 and Darren Clarke’s emotional walk to the first tee at The K Club in 2006, the campaign will ask Sky Sports viewers to vote on their favourite brilliant moment from the shortlist.
And any viewer who matches the final choice of Butch and Monty is in with a chance of winning the trip of a lifetime with an incredible prize including tickets to multiple match days at The 2014 Ryder Cup, including The Ryder Cup concert and opening ceremony, four rounds of golf, bespoke club fitting and luxury hotel accommodation. There will also be 50 pairs of matchday tickets to The Ryder Cup for runners-up prizes.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “I am delighted to see this campaign between VisitScotland and Sky Sports to find the best Ryder Cup Brilliant Moment as Scotland prepares to host The Ryder Cup for only the second time in our history.
“It is a competition which never fails to excite and with the eyes of the world on Scotland and Gleneagles in September I look forward to there being many more brilliant moments to add to the collection.”
David Livingstone, who has led Sky Sports’ extensive live golf coverage – including 10 Ryder Cups – for the past 19 years, said: “I have had the privilege of witnessing many brilliant Ryder Cup moments over the years and to narrow down so many into a shortlist of 10, never mind choosing the best one, was no easy task for Butch and Monty.
“But is shows just how much The Ryder Cup means to both players and golf fans alike and we are excited to team up with VisitScotland to give viewers the chance to vote for their favourite. As the home of live golf it makes perfect sense for us to team up with Scotland, the Home of Golf to uncover the nation’s favourite Ryder Cup moment as the excitement builds towards Gleneagles in September this year.”
The campaign is due to run on all Sky Sports golf coverage, starting with the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on Thursday 10 July running through to the first week of the FedEx playoffs on the PGA Tour on 17 August.
Robbie Clyde, Ryder Cup Project Director with EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, added: “We are extremely proud of the partnership we have with Sky Sports in promoting Scotland as the Home of Golf and the host nation of The 2014 Ryder Cup across their extensive coverage of live golf on both the European and PGA Tours.
“Our quest to find the No1 Ryder Cup Brilliant Moment fits in perfectly with our year of brilliant moments across Scotland in 2014 with the Commonwealth Games and Homecoming Scotland alongside The 2014 Ryder Cup.”
To vote and to enter the competition, viewers have to visit skysports.com/rydercupcompetition and fill in the details.
EventScotland www.EventScotland.org
The shortlist of 10 Ryder Cup Brilliant Moments as selected by Butch and Monty are:
- Jack Nicklaus’ conceded putt to Tony Jacklin at The 1969 Ryder Cup at Royal Birkdale to halve the match
- Sam Torrance’s winning putt at The Belfry in 1985 to win The Ryder Cup for Europe for the first time in 28 years
- Jose Olazabal’s dance moves to celebrate Europe’s first win in the US in 1987.
- Christy O’Connor’s 2-iron approach shot to the 18th green at The Belfry in 1989 as Europe retained the trophy
- Justin Leonard’s controversial monster putt at Brookline in 1999 to win the trophy for the US.
- Bernard Gallacher’s sprint onto the green in 1995 to pick up Philip Walton with a victory hug at Oak Hill.
- Paul McGinley’s winning putt for Europe at The Belfry in 2002 and famous dive into lake.
- Darren Clarke’s emotional walk to the first tee at The K Club in 2006 following the death of his wife
- Graeme McDowell’s clutch putt on the 16th at Celtic Manor seal victory for the European side.
- Martin Kaymer’s putt on the 18th green to seal the Miracle at Medinah and cap the greatest comeback in the history of The Ryder Cup.