A Handshake in the Dark: The Untold Story of the 2003 Presidents Cup Tie

It began as a battle of titans and ended in a moment that transcended sport. The 2003 Presidents Cup at Fancourt in South Africa stands alone in history—not for a winner, but for a handshake in the dark.

The Setting: Fancourt, South Africa

The 2003 edition was the first held in South Africa, a home game for Captain Gary Player and his squad. The Links at Fancourt, a daunting layout, was set to test the world's best. The International Team, stinging from a loss in 2000, was desperate to reclaim the cup they had won in 1998. The American Team, led by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, featured a prime Tiger Woods.

The Duel in the Dark

After four days of intense competition, the score was deadlocked at 17-17. Under the rules at the time, a sudden-death playoff was required to determine the winner.

The captains sent out their best: Tiger Woods for the United States, and Ernie Els for the Internationals. It was the dream matchup the world wanted to see.

• Hole 1: Both players made par.
• Hole 2: Both players made par.
• Hole 3: As twilight turned to night, both Woods and Els holed clutch pressure putts to halve the hole again.

By this point, it was nearly pitch black. Players were struggling to read the greens. The tension was suffocating, but the visibility was dangerous.

The Gentleman's Agreement

What happened next is etched in golf lore. With no floodlights available and a tie-breaking procedure that demanded a winner, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player met on the 18th green.

They faced a choice: force their players to continue in unsafe darkness, or postpone until Monday (which was logistically impossible for many), or do something unprecedented.

"We should share the Cup," Nicklaus reportedly suggested. Player agreed instantly.

In a move that stunned the officials and the fans, the captains agreed to declare the match a tie. Woods and Els shook hands, relief and respect engaged in equal measure.

Controversy and Legacy

At the time, the decision was polarizing. Many fans wanted a clear winner. "A tie is like kissing your sister," remains a common sports cliché. Critics argued that a major sporting event shouldn't end without a champion.

However, viewing it through the lens of history, the decision was a masterstroke of sportsmanship.

1. Safety: Playing in the dark was genuinely risky for the players.
2. Spirit of the Cup: Unlike the Ryder Cup, which is a blood feud, the Presidents Cup was founded on international goodwill. A tie perfectly encapsulated that mission.
3. The Icons: Only legends like Nicklaus and Player had the stature to override the rules and make such a call on the spot.

Rule Changes

The 2003 tie had a lasting impact. The rules were subsequently changed to allow for a tie in future Presidents Cups (similar to the Ryder Cup), retaining the cup for the defending champion, rather than forcing a playoff that could drag on indefinitely.

The "Sunset Tie" at Fancourt remains a defining image of the Presidents Cup: two teams, deadlocked in skill, united in respect.