The British Went Out In The Noonday Sun

Through it all, Captain Palmer had the added burden of running the strategy and tactics of the American side, an honor that has more than once proved a thorny rose to players lacking the confidence of their peers. Although this American side lacked experience, with only half of its members (Palmer, Casper, Finsterwald, Gene Littler and Julius Boros) having previous Ryder Cup competition, there was not a dissident among them. Palmer's fellow pros, like his "Army," appreciated his superb qualities as a man, and they showed it by doing their utmost.

"I never felt pressure like this in any tournament in my life," Johnny Pott said on Sunday afternoon. "I don't know whether it's because you're playing for your country or because you don't want to let the rest of the team down. But I never wanted to win so badly."

It was quite obvious from the beginning of the matches that the British did not truly expect to win. "We'll be satisfied as long as we do well," Fallon said in advance. "As long as it's not a runaway, we'll feel that we've put on a good show. After all, we've never won the thing on your side of the ocean."

Well, they missed by a good distance in 1963, but they put on the kind of show that left everyone admiring their guttiness. "They've got a real good ball club," Bill Casper said.