By Hamish Stuart
Wales Golf have paid tribute to Brian Huggett as a legend of Welsh sport, who played a big role in bringing the Ryder Cup to Celtic Manor in 2010.
Huggett has passed away at the age of 87, with tributes pouring in from the world of golf.
He was one of the top Welsh golfers of all time, a former Ryder Cup Captain who finished second in The Open Championship in 1965.
Huggett represented Great Britain and Ireland six times in the Ryder Cup and served as a non-playing captain in 1977, the last edition the biennial contest was held before players from continental Europe were also allowed to feature against the United States.
The player who became known as “The Welsh Bulldog” turned professional in 1951, won 16 titles in Europe, including two victories after the official launch of The European Tour – now known as the DP World Tour – in 1972.
My darling Dad passed away at 1am this morning. A part of my heart 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 💔#myhero #BrianHuggett @RyderCupEurope #golf pic.twitter.com/WgrAICUffy
— sandra huggett (@sandra_huggett) September 22, 2024
Having finished joint runner-up to Peter Thomson in the 1965 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, he eventually tasted major glory when he won The Senior Open in 1998 at Royal Portrush.
Huggett won 12 points from his six Ryder Cup appearances between 1963 and 1975, while he served an ambassadorial role when the contest was held in Wales for the first time back in 2010.
He was awarded honorary life membership of the DP World Tour in 2012 and has been involved in motivational videos used in Ryder Cup team rooms, while his death was announced ahead of the final round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
Brian Huggett, the Welsh golfer who played in six Ryder Cups and finished second in the 1965 Open Championship, has died at the age of 87.#BBCGolf
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) September 22, 2024
But as well as his illustrious playing career, he had an ongoing impact on golf in Wales.
Wales Golf chairman Rob Holt, a former chief executive of Ryder Cup Wales, added his tribute and said: “They say never to meet your heroes, but that was completely wrong in Brian’s case. He was an icon who lived up to expectations.
“I remember as a child watching Brian playing the Welsh PGA at Whitchurch Golf Club in Cardiff, but then having the chance to meet him through the Ryder Cup.
“He was passionate about Welsh golf and he was passionate about the Ryder Cup, so that was the perfect combination for him. He was instrumental in bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales.
“He was part of the bid and played a big role behind the scenes because he was so well connected. I was with him once and immediately got introduced to the likes of Bobby Charlton and Tony Jacklin, those were the circles he mixed in.
“He was so generous with his time, a big family man, who never forgot his roots and always described Royal Porthcawl and Neath among his favourite courses, where his father had worked.
“It was a privilege to get to know him and witness his passion for Welsh golf first hand. He did outstanding work in the Ryder Cup bid and also in the build up to the event when he was a tremendous ambassador for golf in Wales.
“We will remember him for that ongoing contribution to golf in Wales, as well as a playing career which puts him in the top bracket of golfers ever produced in Wales.
“He will be sadly missed and our deepest sympathies go to his family, wife Winnie and two daughters.”
Former Ryder Cup captain and DP World Tour stalwart Brian Huggett has died aged 87. pic.twitter.com/yvgNZ7XzRs
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 22, 2024