It’s been called one of the greatest shots in Ryder Cup history.
That’s what Jack Nicklaus said about Seve Ballesteros’ persimmon 3-wood out of the bunker at the 18th hole in the 1983 Ryder Cup at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens.
Michael O’Bryon’s picture of Seve’s shot in Sports Illustrated was a classic, too – Ballesteros intently looking at the ball after his usual thrash of the club.
I ran across the photo recently and stopped when I looked closely. Who was the guy standing intently behind Ballesteros? Me?
Not 100 percent sure.
This we know: Ballesteros had snap-hooked his drive at 18 and hit a 4-iron that barely reached the fairway bunker. Ballesteros had been 4-up against Fuzzy Zoeller after 11 holes, but was now tied and in danger of losing the match to Zoeller, who had a flip wedge for his third shot in one of the tightest Ryder Cups in a long time.
Ballesteros studied his shot, his biggest issue a huge lip in the bunker directly on his line to the green. His caddie, Nick De Paul, figured his player would lay up with a 5-iron. But Seve didn’t lay up often.
“Tres madera,” Seve said, indicating the 3-wood.
I remember standing directly behind Ballesteros when he took the 3-wood out, wondering if he had lost his mind. Nicklaus, the U.S. captain, might have wondered the same thing.
Nicklaus was sitting in a cart to the left of Ballesteros when Seve suddenly motioned for him to move up the hill. He was going to play a 50-yard cut shot. With a persimmon 3-wood. Out of a bunker. On the 18th hole of the Ryder Cup.
Somehow, Ballesteros hit this magical cut that found the edge of the green, and he eventually two-putted for par to tie Zoeller in one of the most thrilling halves in Ryder Cup history.
It was an amazing moment to witness, and even more amazing if I somehow Forrest-Gumped my way into a piece of golf history. I wasn’t sure if it was me or Ballesteros’ teammate, Nick Faldo, because of our similar physiques. (This is the only time in my life I could have been confused with Sir Nick on the golf course.)
“I think it was you, Craig,” said O’Bryon, who lives in Fort Lauderdale and was shooting his first Ryder Cup for SI. “Your shirt is a different color than Seve’s and it looks like you have a media badge on your left shoulder. There wasn’t a large crowd on 18 at that point.”
Times have certainly changed in the 40 years since the U.S. barely won this Ryder Cup, 14 ½ – 13 ½, thanks to Lanny Wadkins wedge to tap-in distance at 18.
Crowds will be bigger at Marco Simone in Rome
The crowds at PGA National were a fraction of what the gallery will be at this weekend’s Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Italy. Then again, the U.S. team had won 12 of the last 13 Ryder Cups entering ‘83, the other ending in a tie, so these competitions had become predictable. No more.
More: Brooks Koepka says few golfers would want pressure of winning Ryder Cup on their shoulders
With the ’83 Ryder Cup being played at PGA National in the fall (Oct. 14-16), there was even less interest among sports fans. When I went into the media center after the Ballesteros-Zoeller match, the TVs were turned on to the Miami Dolphins’ 32-14 win over the Jets and the Baltimore Orioles’ 5-0 victory over Philadelphia to clinch the World Series. The volunteers weren’t even watching the golf.
Much has changed in the last four decades. This Ryder Cup will be watched by millions, even though it will be taking place in the early-morning hours in the U.S.
One positive on not being there: I don’t have to worry about ruining a picture-perfect moment in golf history.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Seve Ballesteros’ shot on 18th hole of 1983 Ryder Cup at PGA National remembered
