Five minutes with: Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin

I wish I was still competitive. I remember Tom Weiskopf saying to me years ago, don’t quit playing the main tour, before we both went on the senior tour.

I said do you miss it, and he said I miss playing well. I started laughing. We all miss playing well. I think it’s a young man’s deal and I gave it my best shot.

I continued to win tournaments in the 70s and early 80s but I wasn’t living in the right place and I was trying to be all things to all people. I thought that was what you were supposed to do. This generation now has learned from that – we’ve got Justin, Lee, Rory, Graeme, Ian and so on all living in Florida. The world has become a much smaller place than it was 45 years ago.

I have no intention of ever retiring. I wouldn’t know what the hell to do Britain doesn’t change. I come to places like Muirfield and it’s exactly the same. Never mind 20 years ago, it’s the same as it was bloody 40 years ago!

And all my favourite haunts, Lytham, Muirfield or Birkdale, they’re all exactly the same, nothing’s changed!

I have no intention of ever retiring. I wouldn’t know what the hell to do, and that’s one of the lucky things about golf. The game has grown to such a degree, that there’s always little niches and places that you always feel that you’re being helpful and worthwhile.

I had a good time playing Ryder Cup, but when you’ve got six losses and a draw out of my seven appearances, there’s no real fun getting your ass kicked every time and doing all the things like amateurs. Once it got set right, and a level playing field was achieved, to see these great players in this Ryder Cup arena, and the fun they have with it, is fantastic. That always gives me a great kick.

I think Lynx is a great brand. I love their product line and the team spirit they have. I’m really excited about what’s going to happen in the next two or three years with Lynx. I’m going to be using the Boom Boom irons and woods and probably a rescue club and wedges. They’ve also got some wonderful new Harold Swash putters – Harold’s been a friend of mine for a very, very long time.