The First Major

The Inside Story of the 2016 Ryder Cup

By: John Feinstein

Narrated by: John Feinstein

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number one New York Times best-selling author of A Good Walk Spoiled, a dramatic chronicle of the bitterly fought 2016 Ryder Cup pitting a US team out for revenge against the Europeans determined to keep the cup out of American hands.

Coming into 2016, the Americans had lost an astounding six out of the last seven Ryder Cup matches, and tensions were running high for the showdown that took place in October 2016 in Hazeltine, Minnesota, just days after American legend Arnold Palmer had died. What resulted was one of the most raucous and heated three days in the cup's long history. Award-winning author John Feinstein takes listeners behind the scenes, providing an inside view of the dramatic stories as they unfolded: veteran Phil Mickelson's two-year roller coaster as he upended the American preparation process and helped assemble a superb team; superstar Rory McIlroy becoming the clear-cut emotional leader of the European team and his reasons for wanting to beat the US team so badly this time around; the raucous matches between McIlroy and American Patrick Reed - resulting in both incredible golf and several moments that threatened to come to blows; the return of Tiger Woods not as a player but an assistant captain and his obsession with helping the US win - which was never the case when he was playing.

John Feinstein's classic best seller, A Good Walk Spoiled, set the bar for golf books. Now Feinstein provides his unique take on the Ryder Cup, which has clearly become golf's most intense and emotional event...it's 'first Major'.

©2017 John Feinstein (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Feinstein compellingly re-creates the excitement, sometimes shot by shot, especially in the classic McIlroy-Reed singles match, which has come to be a symbol of golf at its best, both for shotmaking and sportsmanship. A great moment in golf history, vividly captured." ( Booklist)

"Golf fans love Feinstein's books because he's trusted by the pros and thus can give inside information no other journalist can capture, plus he has a flair for telling a great story.... His journalistic style of short, pithy paragraphs drives the narrative along at breakneck speed. Recommended for any sports enthusiast and a must for golfers of all handicaps." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Fun Read

lf your looking for a fun read John does it again. Enjoyed inside the ropes moments.

Excellent

This was an excellent read. Feinstein details how special the Ryder Cup is to the players and us fans.

Very Insightful!

John Feinstein’s storytelling is great! I enjoyed the story behind the 2016 Part user Cup.

So great

This was the best sports book I’ve ever read. I was there at the Ryder Cup and the details gave so much more context to the week. I got to relive the awesome memories over again.

Great detailed account

Lots of great details and inside information about 3 of the most stressful days in Golf. Lots of interesting background about all the players and everyone associated with the Ryder Cup.

Fantastic

Great read (listen) for all golf fans, but enough human interest stories for a non fan. Can't wait for 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris.

Behind the scenes at the Ryder Cup

An in depth look at the complexity of fielding a competitive team. We'll done Mr Feinstein

WOW

Amazing insight to an awesome rivalry. The only problem I have with it is that I finished in 2 days and now have nothing to look forward to on my long drives. I’d recommend to anyone, not just golf fans!

Awesome no other words. John Feinstein is great.

John Feinstein writes a great book and performs a great audiobook. The topic left me not wanting to leave my car to listen to more of the book. I must have gotten this one done faster than any other audio book I've ever read. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I can't wait for the next Feinstein book.

Ryder Cup Fans Delight

Gives you a great background of the 2016 Ryder cup and tells the story of the actual Cup in amazing fashion.