Brian Huggett: Tributes paid to Ryder Cup legend

Tributes are pouring in for Brian Huggett, who has passed away at the age of 87.

Best known for his six Ryder Cup appearances, the Welshman’s death was announced his daughter Sandra on Sunday.

“My darling dad passed away at 1am this morning,” wrote Sandra in a post on social media. “A part of my heart with went with him. It was such a blessing to be with him and hold his hand for those last few hours. Love you Dad, from your No.1 fan.”

Born in Porthcawl on November 18, 1936, Huggett turned professional in 1951, initially becoming an assistant to his father George at Redhill and Reigate.

A mainstay of European golf in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, Huggett won 16 titles after the formation of European Tour in 1972 and played in 19 consecutive editions of The Open between 1961 and 1979, with a best finish of T2 in 1965.

In the Ryder Cup, he represented Great Britain & Ireland six times between 1963 and 1975. He played 25 matches, with a 9–10–6 win–loss–half record.

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He captained the side in 1977 – the last match before continental Europeans joined the fray – and represented Wales nine times in the World Cup between 1963 and 1979.

The current European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald led the tributes to Huggett, saying: “It is desperately sad news and my thoughts are obviously with his wife Winnie, his daughters Sandra and Yvonne, and his many friends.

“The Ryder Cup is all about history and tradition and no-one summed that up better than Brian Huggett. He was also a formidable competitor as his record showed and a truly inspirational figure both inside and outside the ropes.

“I got an understanding of that first-hand when I was vice-captain to Thomas Bjørn in Paris in 2018 and Brian was an integral part of a motivational video we played for the team on the eve of the contest.

“Even though he was softly spoken, you could see the steely determination in his eyes when he stared down the camera lens – I will never forget that.”

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Guy Kinnings, the chief executive of the DP World Tour, told Sky Sports: “It’s hard to underestimate how important Brian was for us, to the tour and to the Ryder Cup.

“Above all, he was an absolute gentleman. A lovely, lovely man to deal with. He had an extraordinary career in his own right.

“We honour our great heroes and what he did for the Ryder Cup was fantastic. Some of the messages he left and delivered by film for the players in the team room in recent years with his wonderful voice, he was just an absolutely lovely man.

“We will all miss him terribly.”

Huggett’s fellow Welshman Ian Woosnam tweeted: “Sad to hear the passing on a Welsh legend Brian Huggett RIP.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor