The European Senior Tour today pays tribute to the great Manuel Piñero after the Spaniard called time on an incredible professional career at the Travis Perkins Masters.
Given the longevity of a golfer’s career and the rich history associated with the game, the word legend is too often overused to describe players past and present. When it comes to Manuel Piñero, however, legend doesn’t quite cover it.
The stats are there for all to see. Over 600 appearances on the European and Senior Tours, with nine victories on the European Tour (including the PGA Championship and World Cup in partnership with his great friend Seve Ballesteros) represents a fine career in anyone’s language.
But impressive as those stats are, they fail to illustrate the impact that Piñero’s golden generation of players had on European golf.
Piñero, like so many Spanish players, started his life in golf as a caddie and quickly fell in love with the sport.
He was an incredibly gifted player who, along with more recognisable names like Ballesteros, Faldo, Langer, Lyle, Woosnam and Torrance, put an end to America’s dominance of The Ryder Cup and inspired future generations that European golfers had the ability and belief to reach the very top of the sport.
“I feel very fortunate to have been able to play this game,” smiled Piñero after signing his last Senior Tour scorecard at Woburn.
“When I started as a caddie aged 11 I knew nothing about this great game, but now 45 years later I can look back on a wonderful life because of the game that has introduced me to so many amazing people.
“I was a part of the best group of players that Europe ever produced because we put European golf on the map through the Ryder Cup and I am so proud to have been a part of that group." Manuel Pinero
"We are missing the greatest of us all, Seve, who was my great friend and who I enjoyed so many good times with in winning the World Cup and The Ryder Cup.
“But we also had Antonio Garrido, Faldo, Langer, Woosie, Torrance and James to name but a few. We became a family and to have been part of it gives me so much satisfaction.”
Piñero’s role in the 1985 Ryder Cup cannot be overstated. With Europe having been included in The Ryder Cup for the first time in 1979, they had gone close to getting their hands on golf’s greatest team trophy in 1983 in the USA. Inspired by Seve, as well as an incredibly determined Captain in Tony Jacklin, the 1985 Ryder Cup at the Belfry was the moment in history when Europe turned the tide.
He may not have been the best known player in the team, but Europe’s star performer that week was Manuel Piñero, who took four points from a possible five as Jacklin’s team scored a brilliant 16 ½ - 11 ½ victory.
Rumour has it that when Team Europe were discussing their singles order for the Sunday at the Belfry, it Piñero who stood up and said he wanted to lead the team. He knew that would almost certainly mean a battle with the USA’s toughest competitor in Lanny Wadkins.
His 3&1 victory gave the team the momentum it needed to charge to victory, and allowed Piñero to sit back and watch his team-mates rack up the points to score Europe’s first victory.
“In 1985 we had a special week. When we talked about the singles order I just felt that my game was good enough to beat anyone. Lanny Wadkins (in partnership with Mark O’Meara) was the only one who had beaten Seve and me in the fourballs. Tony Jacklin asked how I felt about playing number one and I said that I felt I could win the point, which I managed to do.
“That victory in 1985 was so important. It changed everything. European golf took off after that and grew and grew into what we are today. We have been the best team in The Ryder Cup since then and the players we are producing now are winning Majors and the biggest tournaments regularly.”
L-R: Manuel Pinero, Seve Ballesteros, Jose-Maria Canizares and Jose Rivero celebrate winning the 1985 Ryder Cup
Piñero made a very conscious decision to call time on his incredible journey as a professional golfer at Woburn for two compelling reasons.
Firstly, he has a profound affection for British golf fans and the support they have given him and his fellow Spanish players over the past 40 years. And secondly, his personal ties with His Grace the Duke of Bedford and his family, which have been fostered over decades, made Woburn the best possible venue to bring down the curtain on a wonderful career.
“I was asked this week why I decided to retire in England and I told them it was because the people of the British Isles gave me and so many Spanish players of our generation the most amazing help and support over the years that it was fitting I retired here.
“Also, I have a very special relationship with Woburn and His Grace the Duke of Bedford. I knew His Grace’s parents and also his grandparents as well so I have great relationship here. They have been so kind to me and I am treated like I am part of the family so that was another special reason to retire here this week.”
All that remains to thank the legend that is Manuel Piñero for everything he did for European golf and for being one of the true gentlemen of the game. We will miss him on Tour but wish the great man a joyous retirement.
