My favorite Ryder Cup memory: Peter Jacobsen

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We asked several Champions Tour players to share their favorite memories from the Ryder Cup. What did Peter Jacobsen say was his favorite moment?

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It was the best experience I have ever had in the game. There's no greater honor than representing your country. I remember when I qualified for both teams and made it I was so euphoric. I could really relate to Bubba Watson's comments about he was disappointed in losing the playoff at the PGA Championship, but he was overwhelmed with joy when he knew he made the Ryder Cup team. That's really how you feel because representing your country is one thing, but being named to the team or qualifying for the team, really, it's a validation for your year or the past two years of how well you've played. It's a great honor.

I do remember the most important or most fun part of being a part of the Ryder Cup is being with the guys. We compete and play against these players every week, but you really don't have a chance to get to know them off the golf course as well as you do when you're playing in a Ryder Cup. You end up eating every meal together, playing practice rounds together and just spending time with the players, their wives and their families. You play ping-pong, cards; you just hang out together. It's really a special time.

The competition itself surprised me. That first time I played at The Belfry really blew me away how partisan the crowds were. We had just come off the British Open a couple of months earlier where everyone was cheering for you then all of a sudden you're in the Ryder Cup and people are booing you. That really was a shock to me. I just wasn't ready for that. I was ready the second time around although we were in the United States that time, but obviously it's blood and guts and everybody wants their own side to win. But to me the experience and the memories of the Ryder Cup are so special.