Matchplay guide: Jim Gallagher

As the World Match Play and the Ryder Cup put the focus on matchplay golf, we asked experts for their insight. Click on a name below to learn the secrets of success.

JIM GALLAGHER JNR - US Ryder Cup team 1993

American Gallagher beat Seve Ballesteros in the singles in his only Ryder Cup appearance at The Belfry in 1993.

I was nervous, no question, but there was more pressure on him than me, while I was probably twice as motivated to try to beat such a great player.

If you show too much of a weakness, a good opponent is going to eat that up and destroy you

I heard European captain Bernard Gallacher say to Seve on the first tee that he could win 7&6, and I said to my captain Lanny Wadkins, 'I think it could be the other way round'.

I had a tendency every once in a while to hit some wild shots but I made a a lot of birdies.

I won the first hole and stayed up throughout but he was relentless and never gave up. I was amazed at his ability to keep getting up and down - he always had that - but to see it face to face you knew you had to keep going.

He was never going to let you have it and that was the neat part of playing such a great champion.

I remember walking to the 10th tee, with Freddie Couples and Ian Woosnam walking up the adjacent 18th, and the huge crowd was screaming, 'Seve, Seve, Seve'. It was like a gladiator coming into the arena.

MATCHPLAY EXPLAINED Matchplay: Lowest score wins hole. Victor is winner of most holes in round. Format used in Ryder Cup Strokeplay: Least number of shots overall wins. Format used in majors Fourballs: (Or better ball) - Two teams of two, each player uses own ball. Best score wins hole. Matchplay Foursomes: Two players alternate shots using same ball against another team of two. Matchplay Ryder Cup explained

It was cool to be part of that and witness how much people loved him, and wanted him to turn it around but that kind of energised me to get fired up as well.

I didn't try to put on the brakes and just guide my way through. I don't play as well when I'm trying to guard a lead, I'm better if I play smart but aggressive.

I try to get off to a quick start and get up early - meaning birdies - and that takes the pressure off.

At the end, Seve was dejected but he was a total gentleman. But that's the beauty of matchplay.

If your opponent is staring you right down be careful, he's not scared

You can beat anybody on any given day. If you give Tiger Woods 10 matches he'll probably win eight of them, but for that one match a guy gets fired up, Tiger has a cold putter and, boom, they've got him.

I never used any gamesmanship in matchplay, and Seve certainly didn't with me.

The old-school guys in my early days on tour would maybe ease up on a five iron and then say: 'Ooh, I killed that'. Then you take a five-iron and blow it over the green.

But body language is huge in matchplay. If a guy does something different in his routine you know he's nervous.

If your opponent doesn't look at you in the eyes, you might have got him. But if he's staring you right down, be careful, he's not scared.

When Tiger Woods has that steely look and does that fist pump, that's intimidating to some players. Raymond Floyd also had a good look, where he'd stare right through you.

If you show too much of a weakness, a good opponent is going to eat that up and destroy you.

The World Match Play takes place at Wentworth, Surrey, from 14-17 September. The Ryder Cup is set for the K Club, Co. Kildare, Ireland, from 22-24 September.