A talk with Tony

Tony Jacklin, who captured the 1969 British Open and 1970 U.S. Open, is being honored this week at the Memorial. We recently caught up with Jacklin, 64, who was at his home in Florida.

Question: How does it feel to be memorialized while you’re still very much alive?

Jacklin: I’m flattered, actually, to have been chosen. It’s a very nice honor, really.

Question: Everyone knows the story of Jack Nicklaus conceding your putt at the 1969 Ryder Cup, but what kind of relationship have you had with him on a personal level?

Jacklin: We’ve been friends since we first played together in the World Cup in 1966. Then, when I qualified for the PGA Tour in 1967, I spent quite a bit of time with him. And, of course, we captained those Ryder Cups together in 1983 and 1987. And then we got together to build a golf course called “Concession” which was my idea. We’ve spent quite a bit of time together. I wouldn’t say we live in each other’s pockets, but we have a healthy regard for each other. We’ve been pals.

Question: What do you think of what Seve said about the Ryder Cup becoming boring because the Americans don’t ever win?

Jacklin: I think Seve is not playing anymore, and he might be looking for a bit of publicity. Every time the Ryder Cup comes around I remember why it started in the first place, and that was to foster goodwill between America and the UK, and now all of Europe. I have no doubt that America will come back. I think Paul Azinger’s approach is different. There’s a determination in him to get it right, so it’s going to be quite fascinating.

Question: What can be done to improve the matches?

Jacklin: I think the fact that it’s become such a success proves that the formula is about right. The matches capture the public imagination. National pride runs high, and all the players realize at the opening and closing ceremonies that they have a responsibility to preserve this for future generations. It also gives players the chance to show the gentlemanly nature of our game. We’re very fortunate in golf to have an event like that.

Question: Why do Americans continue to win most of the majors, but not the Ryder Cup?

Jacklin: The Europeans show stronger emotion as a team. I did see similar emotion in the last Presidents Cup, and if the Americans bring that to the table in September, watch out Europe. I do think that in the last 15 years America has had a more difficult time coming together as a team. But I don’t take anything for granted. Paul should have all his guys in form. It’s early yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see America make a go of it this time.

Question: How was working with Jack as a co-designer on The Concession, and do you plan to do it again?

Jacklin: We’ve got no plans to do it again, but it was fun. When we set out to do it, I was quite happy to bow to Jack’s bigger experience on the design side, but he said “absolutely not, we’re doing this together.” That was, I guess, another concession, if you will. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a lovely piece of property, and I think we accomplished something quite special.

Question: What other designs do you have in the works?

Jacklin: I’ve got some things going on in Cyprus and a couple of things in Europe that are in various stages of negotiations. The business is quite slow, but The Concession did get me back into the design business again. I set up shop in Scotland about 17 years ago, but it was the wrong time. This time, I have some good people representing me, and we’re going to make a go of it.

Question: You are still the only European to win the U.S. Open since WWII. Why?

Jacklin: I think so many of the Europeans over the years have tried to play in America on a hit-and-run basis. When I played over here the U.S. Tour was my main focus, and because of that I was able to compete reasonably well. I wanted to give myself the best shot in the short window of time that I had. Obviously, Colin Montgomerie had the talent to win it, but when you’re flying back and forth to Europe all the time, it makes it difficult.

Question: Who is Europe’s best player right now?

Jacklin: I think Sergio has been the best for a long time. As a ball-striker, he’s as good as anybody on the planet, probably better than anybody on the planet. If he could get his putter working, he could take the number-one spot away from Tiger.

Question: Speaking of Tiger, how do you compare him with Nicklaus? You saw both players in their primes.

Jacklin: It’s hard to draw comparisons. In some respects I think it’s easier for Tiger, because he is chasing Jack’s record of 18. What did Jack have to shoot for? He had Bobby Jones' record (of 13 majors), but that was as an amateur. Plus, Jack got married at a young age and did it while he was raising a family. He lived a relatively normal life and accumulated this incredible record. Now, there is no doubt that Tiger is an incredible talent, but having that target has allowed him to build his mental game to top it.

Regardless, they are both exceptional individuals.

Question: You walked away from competition at age 60. Why?

Jacklin: I didn’t putt well enough. I put myself through a lot of emotion trying to putt, and I made too much of it. I stopped playing the tour when I was 38 and didn’t pick it up again until I was 50. But the traveling and being away from the family got old. But it boiled down to my putting. I was a streaky putter. I might have done better with the sports psychology that’s out there today, but Johnnie Walker was my psychologist.