Reading the Green

The format of the British and Irish golf team was changed in 1979 after a series of disheartening losses to the Americans. That decision saved the Ryder Cup. It became a closely contested event and three decades on. it commands global television coverage. The Irish contribution to this success has been outstanding, even defining, and is now part of the history and folklore of the event. Starting with the heroics of Eamonn Darcy, Christy O'Connor Jr., and Philip Walton in the early days of the new format, the Irish continued to put a unique stamp on the biennial matches. The Ryder Cup may be a team event, but almost invariably Irish players have made the memorable and significant shots. Drawing on frank, previously unpublished interviews with David Feherty, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth and other golfers, PJ Browne entertainingly recreate the inside story of successive Ryder Cups and the Irish players who contributed so much to them.