Tony Jacklin CBE biography

 

Born, Scunthorpe, 1944.

 

Tony Jacklin is one of the greatest ever British and European golfers. He did for British golf what Arnold Palmer did for American golf and he is still mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Player, Nicklaus and Trevino.

 

Tony Jacklin Ryder Cup
 
In a golden era for golfing greats he announced himself as one of the world’s best in 1969 when he won the British Open at Royal Lytham. This outstanding feat was enhanced the following year when he became the first British golfer to win the US Open since 1920. A victory made even more impressive by the fact he won by a clear seven strokes and was the only player to break par at Hazeltine the entire week.

 

Tony JacklinHe is remembered by many as the man who breathed new life into the Ryder Cup. He competed as a player in the competition 7 times and had an admirable record at a time when the USA dominated continually. It was as captain though that Tony had his greatest Ryder Cup triumphs. In 1985 at the Belfry he inspired his Europe team to victory finally ending the American domination of the trophy. It got even better than this though when in 1987 he captained the first team to win on American soil. A draw two years later ensured that Europe retained the cup and Tony’s captaincy ended leaving behind a remarkable record.

 

His legacy to European golf was acknowledged in 2002 when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

 

NB: 2 quirky bits of interest are that he recorded and released a swing music album in the 1970s and has a rose named after him.

 

Some facts and figures

  • 2002-inducted in to the World Golf Hall of fame
  • 1969 - won the British Open
  • 1970 - won the U.S. Open
  • 2 PGA Tour Victories
  • 22 European PGA Tour Victories
  • 11 Ryder Cup appearances between 1967 & 1989 (playing 7, captain 4)
  • 4 Ryder Cup appearances as Captain in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1989

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin

Tony Jacklin