Justin Leonard lined up for one of the most historic putts of his career. But what he didn’t realize was the controversy that would ensue after. While the shot itself was a thing of beauty, what followed broke the spirit of the gentleman’s game. What seemed like a celebration to some felt like total disrespect to others. Particularly to Leonard’s rival on the day, Jose Maria Olazabal of Team Europe.

Having just witnessed the unbelievable shot from their teammate, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the rest of Team USA ran across the greens in joy. They believed they had already won the 1999 Ryder Cup and were soon going to be honored with the trophy. But they were oblivious to the fact that Jose Maria Olazabal still had a stroke in his hand to equal the score and take it to the 18th.

Moreover, it was not the only ongoing match of the day. Colin Montgomerie of Team Europe was also playing Payne Stewart at the same time. Had all of the remaining results gone in Team Europe’s favor then they would be the ones to win, or rather retain the 1999 Ryder Cup, also known as the ‘Battle of the Brookline’. But unfortunately they lost, and for 25 years, Team USA has had to shoulder the burden of spoiling Team Europe’s chances. But that is until journalist Kevin Van Valkenburg made a surprising revelation on November 6. But before we get to that part…

For the unversed: What made the celebration controversial was its location. Apparently, as Team USA ran across the green, most of them stepped in the line of Olazabal’s putt. A putt that would have allowed him to match Leonard’s score. To the utter disdain of the European fans, Team USA had no reason to celebrate for no reason right where Olazabal was about to play. The Spaniard missed his 22-foot birdie putt to leave Leonard one up with just one hole to play, assuring him of a half point and guaranteeing an American victory. Hence, the blame of that miss and the loss eventually fell on Tiger Woods & Co.

.There were also reports by the Golf Digest that stated that a fan spit on a European player’s wife.

While there is no evidence of the latter, the case of obstruction of play was revisited on the No Laying Up podcast. Famously known as KVV, the golf presenter debunked any claims of the incident being true. Speaking to his co-host Soly, Kevin said that he wants to, “Tear down a myth that has persisted for many many years.” Soly caught what Kevin was leading towards by saying, “That somebody went in Jose Maria Olazabal’s line.” Kevin confirmed that is exactly what he was talking about and went on to call it “bull***t“. KVV continued: “They make it seem like the Americans grinded their feet all over Jose Maria Olzabal’s line. Like stomping on his sign”, he clarified, “It did not happen!”

KVV noted it was one of his favorite pictures of all time as they went on to display a photograph from the 1999 Ryder Cup. The photo shows Tiger Woods and his Team USA mates running across the pitch. After complimenting Woods’ incredible celebratory leap, he pointed out how Olazabal can be seen in the background looking over his line of putt. KVV stated that the picture clearly illustrates Team USA’s celebration, saying, “All of the Americans run to the right of this thing (away from the line of Olazabal’s putt). They’re all sort of jumping on top off…”

Kevin then explained how Team Europe still had a chance to grab a victory and retain the Ryder Cup. The podcast host clarified that by looking at the image and saying, “Let’s just make it clear for history’s sake, they do not run across Jose Maria Olazabal’s line. There is no evidence at all that exists that that happened.” Elaborating on the research he put into this issue, Kevin added, “There’s no pictures. I went through all of Getty’s photography for it. I watched all the old videos. They did not run across this line.” However, he also mentioned how Team USA’s behavior was definitely “sh**ty” as the Europeans still had a chance to win.

It can argued that Kevin’s source of information is quite limited as compared to those who actually witnessed the incident, and who can be a better witness than Jose Maria Olazabal himself?

Jose Maria Olazabal had a lot to say

As Team Europe nursed their broken heart, the Spaniard was not going to sit idle. In a conversation with ESPN in 1991, he said, “They can say whatever they want to say about us being bad losers,” in response to Team USA’s David Love’s public jibe. To remind you, amid the raging controversy, Love had commented, “We didn’t cry when we lost two in a row…If it had been even the whole way and one of us eked it out at the end, then maybe they wouldn’t be feeling so bad,” he said. But they just got pounded into the ground on Sunday, and they’re embarrassed by it — as we were at Oak Hill.” 

Love’s comment was in reference to a 1995 clash where the US team had initially led 9-7, but was outscored 7½-4½ in singles and lost the cup. Notably, Team Europe had also celebrated their win, but only after the hole was over.

“They beat us into the ground there, but we didn’t complain about all the celebrating…That’s been going on a long time. For them to say it all of a sudden happened on Sunday, or it all of a sudden happened this week … it didn’t just start,” Love further said.

Olazabal, on the other hand, was clear about his ask. “We were playing for pride and honor. We try to respect our opponents, and all we ask is respect from them,” he had said. Teammate Miguel Angel Jimenez appeared even more outspoken as he hit back, “They wanted to win at all costs and the cost was their dignity and any respect we might feel for them…I don’t feel like we lost the match, because they didn’t deserve it after what happened on the final day…If the Ryder Cup has to be like this in the future — with players acting like professional ice hockey or football players instead of golfers — then I don’t want to play in it any more.”

Having said that, do you agree with the claims made with the new evidence or do you still believe that Team USA caused an obstruction? Let us know in the comments section.