The First Major - by John Feinstein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From legendary sportswriter and #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a dramatic chronicle of the bitterly-fought 2016 Ryder Cup pitting a U.S. team out for revenge against the Europeans determined to keep the Cup out of American hands.

"Richly detailed and entertaining. . . . Feinstein captures the intensity, the flavor, the pomp and all the circumstance that is. . .the biggest event in golf."--USA Today

The rivalry between the U.S. and European teams was at an all-time high even before the first swing of the 2016 Ryder Cup. The Americans had lost an astounding six out of the last seven matches. With the U.S. team out for revenge and the Europeans determined to keep the Cup out of American hands, the showdown took place in Hazeltine, Minnesota--just days after the death of golf legend Arnold Palmer. It became one of the most raucous and heated face-offs in the Cup's history.

Award-winning author John Feinstein takes readers behind the scenes, providing an inside view of the dramatic stories as they unfolded, including the assembly of veteran Phil Mickelson's superb team, the intense match between European superstar Rory McIlroy and American Patrick Reed that almost came to blows, and the return of Tiger Woods. Throughout, Feinstein vividly illustrates why the Ryder Cup has become golf's most intense and emotional event.

Review Quotes

One of Golf Digest's Best Books of the Year

"Richly detailed and entertaining. . . . Feinstein captures the intensity, the flavor, the pomp and all the circumstance that is. . .the biggest event in golf."
--USA Today

"Feinstein's talent always has been the depth of his relationships, which enables him to get important figures to divulge intimate details of what transpired. . . . The book features one interesting anecdote after another, including inside reaction to controversial statements by Phil Mickelson; how an injured Tiger Woods swallowed his ego to play a supporting role as an assistant captain; and more. In the hands of a lesser writer, a book about a lopsided match would have been hard to pull off. Feinstein, though, knows how to tell a good story, regardless of the outcome."
--Chicago Tribune

"[Feinstein] uses his journalistic instincts and innate curiosity to uncover the story beneath the story. . . . Like a scratch player so confident in his short game he'll risk the sand traps and water hazards, Feinstein confidently chips and blasts out the notion that golf is reserved for those who prefer insular endeavors."
--Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

"Plenty of juicy material to enjoy. . . . Feinstein's readers will walk away the way the victors and the vanquished did: smiling."
--Golf Digest

"A colorful story. . . that even non-golfers will enjoy. . . . Feinstein digs deep into the event's illustrious history, peppering his prose with astute observations and witty lines. . . . This [book] ranks among his best."
--Publishers Weekly

"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 (starred review)

"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

"Feinstein spends nearly three quarters of the book setting us up for the 28-point war at Hazeltine, deep-diving into Ryder Cup backstory and behind-the scenes conversations, power plays and personality studies to ratchet up the tension and reveal this as truly the biggest event in golf . . . He keeps up the quick pace even while fleshing out the stories of individual players, and offers insights on just what motivates and challenges the world's best to find another level on a stage unlike any other . . . By the time Feinstein gets to the blow-by-blow of the matches, we're feeling that fire, too. And loving it."
--Golf Tips Magazine

About the Author

JOHN FEINSTEIN is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the classics sports books A Season on the Brink and A Good Walk Spoiled, along with many other bestsellers including The Legends Club and Where Nobody Knows Your Name. He currently writes for The Washington Post and Golf Digest and is a regular contributor to the Golf Channel and Comcast Sports Regional Networks; in addition, he hosts a college basketball show and a golf show on SiriusXM Radio. Feinstein lives in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife, Christine, and is the father of three children: Danny, Brigid, and Jane.