Ryder Cup legend Brian Huggett dies aged 87 – Golf Information

Brian Huggett, the Welsh golfer who performed in six Ryder Cup matches and completed second within the 1965 Open Championship, has died on the age of 87.

An announcement issued on behalf of Huggett’s household stated that he had died within the early hours of Sunday morning after a brief sickness.

Porthcawl-born Huggett gained 16 European tournaments throughout his profession, and was Europe’s high golfer in 1968.

He turned skilled in 1951, and served as an assistant skilled to his father at Redhill & Reigate Golf Membership in Surrey, later being the skilled at Romford Golf Membership in Essex from 1960-66.

Like many tour execs on the time, he mixed his membership commitments together with his skilled participant profession and shortly among the many main lights of the European Circuit – the precursor of at present’s European Tour – throughout the Sixties.

Regardless of being simply 5ft 6 inches tall, what Huggett lacked in stature he compensated with immense ability and tenacity. He gained 14 occasions, and claimed one other two victories after the European Tour was shaped in 1972, together with the Portuguese Open in 1974.

He completed third within the 1962 Open Championship at Troon – 13 pictures behind winner Arnold Palmer – however was solely two pictures behind winner Peter Thomson at Royal Birkdale in 1965.

Huggett was by no means on the successful aspect within the Ryder Cup, however performed within the tied match in 1969, when Jack Nicklaus conceded a putt to Tony Jacklin on the ultimate inexperienced in what grew to become referred to as ‘The Concession’.

Later in his profession, aged 41, he captained Nice Britain & Eire crew on the 1977 Ryder Cup held at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s when USA gained by 12.5-7.5.  It was the final match earlier than Europe joined forces with GB&I to create stronger opposition to the all-conquering USA crew.

After turning 50, Huggett was one of many inaugural members of the European Seniors Tour, successful 10 tournaments in a seniors profession that spanned from 1992 to his final event in 2007, aged 70. He gained the Senior Open Championship in 1998, and his final win got here on the 2000 Beko Basic on the age of 63.

Huggett’s contribution to Welsh sport was recognised when he was inducted to the Wales Sport Corridor of Fame in 2006 and he was made an MBE in 1978.