The 5 Greatest European Ryder Cup Victories of All Time
The Greatest European Ryder Cup Victories Ever
Few events in the sporting world carry the prestige of the Ryder Cup, a biennial golf event that tests the might of the United States against Europeans.
Europeans often make up for their lack of star-studded quality with a wonderful group camaraderie that has served them so well since 1985.
Read on for THE greatest European Ryder Cup wins of all time.
Martin Kaymer celebrates at the 2012 Ryder Cup
Every two years, the golfing world comes to a standstill for one week only in order to see the two great rival nations put personal friendships aside to try and win the beautiful 17-inch trophy which is given to the winning team.
It is one of the most eagerly awaited events in the golfing calendar for players on both sides of the Atlantic.
Originally, the event saw the US pitted against Great Britain, although after years of American dominance, and an interjection by one of the greatest golfers of all-time Jack Nicklaus, Britain soon expanded to include players from continental Europe.
This decision was the turning point in the 60-year history of the event, saving the Ryder Cup from fading into obscurity following a string of wins by the USA.
With the 2023 Ryder Cup fast approaching, here are 5 of the greatest European victories throughout the history of the competition!
1957 - Lindrick Golf Club
Great Britain 7.5 – 4.5 United States
Great Britain hadn’t won the Cup for 24 years
The GB team was led by golfer Dai Rees
It had been 24 years since the Ryder Cup was last in the hands of a Great Britain captain and Dai Rees was aiming to end the hoodoo.
The result looked ominous after yet more American dominance in the Friday foursomes, as they won three of the four ties. Ken Bousfield and Rees ensured that some pride would be salvaged, defeating the pairing of Art Wall Jr and Fred Hawkins 3&2.
Heading into the Sunday singles (there were only two sessions in those days), GB would have to enjoy a fast start to overturn the two-point deficit.
Eric Brown and Peter Mills came out all guns blazing, winning their respective ties 5&3 to level the match up.
Hawkins defeated Peter Alliss to move the USA back in front but something clicked for team GB after that, as they reeled off four successive points and with the last match halved, it meant the beautiful gold trophy would remain on British shores following their stunning performance.
1969 - Royal Birkdale
Great Britain 16 – 16 United States
The 18th Ryder Cup
The first ever Ryder Cup to finish in a tie
The 18th Ryder Cup may not have yielded a victory for Great Britain, but by finishing level on points with the USA, it was the first ever Ryder Cup to finish in a tie.
By the close of play on Friday, GB were more than a match for their more established counterparts, winning two out of the four sessions.
The pressure was slowly building, especially with the Americans chasing their sixth successive victory in the competition.
Between 1963-71, there were two singles sessions on the final day. GB won the first session by five points to three, taking a two-point lead into the final session.
With the scores level at 15.5 each, Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus were level approaching the par-5 18th.
A win for either on the hole would secure the Ryder Cup and given the dominance from the USA since 1927, Jacklin had the weight of the world (or indeed Great Britain) on his shoulders.
Nicklaus sank his birdie putt and before Jacklin could steady himself, the American picked up his marker, thus conceding the putt.
The ‘concession’ was widely heralded as one of the finest acts of sportsmanship in the game and the sight of Nicklaus and Jacklin strolling off the 18th, arms around each other, signifies just what the Ryder Cup is all about.
1987 - Muirfield Village
Europe 15 – 13 United States
The 1987 contest took place in Ohio
Tony Jacklin was the captain for Europe
Following another rout in 1977, the inclusion of continental Europeans to the side from 1979 onwards was seen as a measure to improve the competitiveness of the Ryder Cup, as team GB had secured just one win and a tie since 1947.
The move worked, as Europe defeated the USA at The Belfry in 1985 with a stunning 16.5 to 11.5 victory and hopes were high heading to Ohio for the 1987 contest.
Jacklin was captain and Europe could count on Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal, while homegrown stars such as Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle were ready to spearhead a first-ever win on American soil.
Tony Jacklin and Seve Ballesteros celebrate winning the 1987 Ryder Cup
The opening four sessions couldn’t have gone any better, with Europe heading into the final day singles with a staggering five-point advantage, requiring just 3.5 points to tie or four to win, it looked as though the 60-year hoodoo was about to end.
The USA weren’t about to lose their unbeaten home record without a fight, however, winning five out of the first seven matches.
Eamonn Darcy stopped the rot by defeating Ben Crenshaw on the final hole, while Langer halved his match against Larry Nelson. Ballesteros, the European talisman, was charged with making history.
The enigmatic Spaniard demonstrated his class, which had seen him claim four majors at past tournaments.
He won his tie against Curtis Strange to give Europe the 14.5 points they required for victory, ushering in a new era for Team Europe in the process - and Tony Jacklin is still remembered as one of the best European Ryder Cup captains to this day.
2004 - Oakland Hills
Europe 18.5 – 9.5 United States
The largest-ever victory for a team this side of the Atlantic
The balance of power was in favour of Europe
By the time 2004 rolled around, Europe had another three victories under their belt since 1987, along with a tie in 1989.
The USA won just three times in that period and the balance of power was swinging in favour of team Europe.
Two-time Masters champion Langer was the man leading Europe and with Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood primed to back up their success from 2002, it was a team which would take some beating.
Hal Sutton made his first big mistake as captain by partnering Tiger Woods with his antithesis Phil Mickelson and they subsequently lost the opening match against Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington.
The duo lost again in the second session on Friday, this time to Westwood and Darren Clarke before being split up. The damage was done and confidence was low amongst the Americans.
By the start of the singles, Europe held a mammoth 11-5 lead and although they won just two out of the first five matches, Monty was the man who rolled in the winning putt on the final green as he conquered David Toms.
The end result was 18.5 to 9.5 and it was the largest-ever victory for a team on this side of the Atlantic.
2012 - Medinah
Europe 14.5 – 13.5 United States
The European equivalent of the USA’s comeback victory in 1999
For Europe, ‘Miracle at Medinah’ was their equivalent to the USA’s stunning comeback victory at Brookline in 1999.
Needing 8.5 points to snatch back the Ryder Cup after six years of hurt, Jose Maria Olazabal saw his team claim the point tally they required to complete an incredible comeback.
Following two days of intense action which saw the USA dominate the fourball and foursome sessions, not losing a single session, they entered Sunday with what looked like an unassailable 10-6 lead.
The ensuing days’ play sent shockwaves around the golfing world, not only for the enormity of Europe’s memorable comeback moment but the Jekyll and Hyde approach with which the USA began the singles compared with how well they had played the previous two days.
The first five matches were all won by Europe. Even Rory McIlroy, who got his time zones mixed up and just made it to the first tee, put the shaky start behind him to defeat Keegan Bradley.
After seven completed ties, the USA were leading by just one point. Westwood and Garcia, so often the beacon of hope for Europe, secured vital wins, leaving Martin Kaymer as the man charged with completing a remarkable turnaround.
A five-foot putt stood between him and immortality. A few deep breaths. A few glances at his target. The German was ready.
He set the ball rolling and it nestled into the centre of the cup, sparking wild scenes on the 18th green. Woods and Francesco Molinari halved the final match to ensure Europe actually won the trophy outright, winning the final session 8.5 to 3.5.
The scenes on that final day will arguably never be beaten, at least from a European perspective.
With the 2023 edition just around the corner, Luke Donald will be hoping his team can channel the spirit of Medinah as they take on the Americans in Rome!
Do you remember any of these iconic GB/European Ryder Cup victories? Tell us in the comments!
