Brian Huggett, the Welsh golfer who performed in six Ryder Cups and completed second within the 1965 Open Championship, has died on the age of 87.
A press release issued on behalf of Huggett’s household mentioned {the golfing} icon had died within the early hours of Sunday morning after a brief sickness.
Porthcawl-born Huggett received 16 European Circuit occasions throughout his profession, and was Europe’s prime golfer in 1968.
He was captain of the Nice Britain and Eire workforce on the 1977 Ryder Cup – the final earlier than gamers from the remainder of Europe took half.
Huggett was additionally a part of the workforce that introduced the Ryder Cup to Wales in 2010.
Small in stature, Huggett made up for his lack of measurement with ability and tenacity.
He turned skilled in 1951 and was among the many main lights of the European Circuit – the precursor of at this time’s European Tour – throughout the Sixties.
Huggett received 14 instances on the circuit, and claimed one other two victories after the European Tour was fashioned in 1972.
He completed third within the 1962 Open Championship at Troon – 13 photographs behind winner Arnold Palmer – however was solely two photographs behind winner Peter Thomson at Royal Birkdale in 1965.
Later in his profession he was an inaugural member of the European Seniors Tour, successful 10 tournaments.
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 turned often called “the concession”.
The Welshman was captain at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s in 1977 when USA received by 5 factors.
It was the final time Nice Britain and Eire performed the USA, with the workforce increasing to change into Europe by the point of the 1979 match.
Nonetheless, that was not the tip of Huggett’s Ryder Cup involvement. He was an envoy for the 2010 occasion which noticed the match performed in Wales for the primary time – with Europe beating USA 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.
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.
