Classic Ryder Cup moments, No 4: Langer’s agony: 1991

Published on 14/09/2012 03:09

THE “War by the Shore” or the “Rowdy Ryder Cup” is how the match at Kiawah Island, South Carolina is best remembered, and its conclusion will haunt Bernhard Langer forever.

Played over the unrelenting Ocean Course, controversy erupted when several American players showed up wearing camouflage caps while, over the three days, there were accusations of gamesmanship and rules-bending.

The teams began the final day tied 8-8 and it came down to Hale Irwin and Langer – playing the final hole for the cup. All square going down the last, the German conceded Irwin’s bogey putt and lined up a six-footer for par which would have tied the match at 14 points each and retained the trophy for Europe. But Langer, pictured, missed and the US reclaimed the Cup they had not held since 1985.