This week’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is certain to produce the passion that has defined the competition since its inception in 1927 and laid out in Hank Gola’s new book, Ryder Cup Rivals . In this excerpt, Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin play out the par-five final hole that ended with The Concession at Royal Birkdale in 1969.

From Ryder Cup Rivals by Hank Gola . Copyright © 2025 by the author, and reprinted with permission of Tatra Press.

Thousands circled the final hole to watch Nicklaus and Jacklin play out what Jacklin called “an unenviable situation.”

Each man hit a 3-wood off the tee and Jacklin, probably out of nerves, jumped ahead as he started down the fairway. Nicklaus hollered after him, “Tony.” Jacklin waited for him. Nicklaus put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“A

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