My favorite Ryder Cup memory: Tom Watson

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We asked several Champions Tour players to share their favorite memories from the Ryder Cup. What did Tom Watson (1977, '81, '83, '89; 1993 U.S. Captain) say was his favorite moment?

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What did other Champions Tour players say? Click here for more memories.

The first year was the most spiritual year because we were playing at Royal Lytham and St. Annes and the opening ceremonies were a very, very emotional and spiritual thing. Just having the opportunity to play for my country was special; that probably meant more than anything at that point. It always meant something, but that very first time, it's like your very first kiss. You always remember that. That was the most vibrant memory I ever had of the Ryder Cup, those opening ceremonies on that Thursday afternoon at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

On the competitive side, I remember playing with Jack (Nicklaus) as a partner a few times. I remember when we played at Walton Heath and I was playing very poorly, driving the ball very poorly. I remember putting the ball in the heather about five times in the alternate shot with Jack and he extricated my ball out of the rough as the second shot four out of five times and put it on to the green. The other time I was putting. It was an amazing display of shot making out of the heather. It is something I will always remember.