Established in 1927, the Ryder Cup is one of the most storied, entertaining, and sacred traditions in golf history. It’s the type of tournament every professional golfer dreams of playing in at some point in their career, but one that only a select few golfers – the best of the best, if you may – will earn an invitation to.
Between 1927 and 1977, a team from the United States was pinned up against a team from Great Britain to determine which country was superior in golf. The tournament was held every other year – except in 1939, 1941, 1943, and 1945 as a result of World War II – with the US winning 18 of 22 Cups in that span.
In an effort to curb the United States’ repeated dominance and level the playing field at the Ryder Cup, the Great Britain team was expanded to include all golfers from continental Europe. The United States still managed to win the next three Ryder Cups (1979, 1981, and 1983), but things started to change in 1985.
The first 60 years of the Ryder Cup belonged to the United States – who went 21-3-1 between 1927 and 1983 – but things have started to tip in favor of the Europeans over the past four decades. Europe is now a steady 12-6-1 against the United States since 1985 – including their most recent win two weeks ago.
The United States hasn’t won on European soil since 1993 (Europe is 7-0-0 on home soil in that span) and has struggled to acclimate to playing in an intense and loud atmosphere dominated by European fans. That was evident in the 2023 Ryder Cup, which saw the Europeans dominate from the very start.
Europe has now won 12 of the past 19 Ryder Cups – and technically have a 13th win with their tie in 1989 – as they continue to make their respective countries proud on a regular basis. To commemorate their dominance, let’s take a closer look at their 12 wins (and one tie) against the United States since 1985.
1. 1985 Ryder Cup – Europe wins 16½ to 11½
Ryder Cup Memories – Jimmy Cranky and Freddie Mercury celebrate Europe's 1985 victory. Quite majestic. pic.twitter.com/T6V4ABV5s2
Team USA: Lee Trevino (captain), Andy North, Hubert Green, Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins, Raymond Floyd, Calvin Peete, Mark O’Meara, Craig Stadler, Hal Sutton, Peter Jacobsen, Tom Kite, Fuzzy Zoeller
Team Europe: Tony Jacklin (captain), Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Paul Way, Howard Clark, Seve Ballesteros, Manuel Pinero, Jose Maria Canizares, Jose Rivero, Ken Brown, Nick Faldo
Friday’s Matches: USA wins 3-1 in morning; Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe wins 3-1 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 7½ to 4½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 16½ to 11½
The 1985 Ryder Cup took place at The Belfry (Brabazon Course) in Wishaw, Warwickshire, England – it started on September 13 and ended on September 15. Manuel Pinero led Europe with 4.0 points and Seve Ballesteros finished with 3.5 points, while Bernhard Langer and Paul Way each had 3.0 points.
**This was Europe’s first win since their 1957 win at Lindrick Golf Club in Nottinghamshire, England**
2. 1987 Ryder Cup – Europe wins 15-13
27 September 1987: Europe wins the Ryder Cup – their first time on American soil. The historic win ended the US’ perfect record at home of 13-0, over a period spanning 60 years. More than one #meaningofwinning there! #livelearningpic.twitter.com/b7NJncgKM6
Team USA: Jack Nicklaus (captain), Scott Simpson, Larry Nelson, Payne Stewart, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Hal Sutton, Larry Mize, Lanny Wadkins, Dan Pohl, Tom Kite, Mark Cacavecchia, Andy Bean
Team Europe: Tony Jacklin (captain), Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Howard Clark, Seve Ballesteros, Gordon Brand Jr., Sam Torrance, Bernhard Langer, Jose Rivero, Eamonn Darcy, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle, Ken Brown
Friday’s Matches: Europe and US tie 2-2 in morning; Europe wins 4-0 in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe and USA tie 2-2 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: USA wins 7½ to 4½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 15-13
The 1987 Ryder Cup took place at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio (US) – it started on Sept. 25 and ended on Sept. 27. Seve Ballesteros led Europe with 4.0 points, while Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, and Ian Woosnam each had 3.5 points. Sandy Lyle and Jose Maria Olazabal added 3.0 points each.
**This was the first time Europe won back-to-back Ryder Cups since its inception in 1927**
3. 1989 Ryder Cup – Europe ties 14-14
1989 European Ryder Cup at The Belfry – only the second time it ended in a tie but European retained the trophy having won it in 1987.
This was the first Ryder Cup played in Europe to be televised live in the USA.
Team USA: Raymond Floyd (captain), Mark Calcavecchia, Curtis Strange, Chip Beck, Payne Stewart, Tom Kite, Paul Azinger, Fred Couples, Ken Green, Mark O’Meara, Marc McCumber, Tom Watson, Lanny Wadkins
Team Europe: Tony Jacklin (captain), Ronan Rafferty, Mark James, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Gordon Brand Jr., Seve Ballesteros, Sam Torrance, Jose Maria Canizares, Bernhard Langer, Christy O’Connor Jr., Howard Clark
Friday’s Matches: USA wins 3-1 in morning; Europe wins 4-0 in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: USA wins 5-2 in morning; Europe and USA tie 2-2 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: USA wins 7-5 in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe and US tie 14-14
The 1989 Ryder Cup took place at the The Belfry (Brabazon Course) in Wishaw, Warwickshire, England – it started on Sept. 22 and ended on Sept. 24. Jose Maria Olazabal led Europe with 4.5 points, Seve Ballesteros added 3.5 points, and Mark James had 3.0 points. Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam each had 2.5 points.
**This was just the second tie in Ryder Cup history and the first time Europe retained the Cup due to a tie**
Team USA: Lanny Wadkins (captain), Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson, Jay Haas, Jeff Maggert, Loren Roberts, Ben Crenshaw, Peter Jacobsen, Brad Faxon, Curtis Strange, Fred Couples
Team Europe: Bernhard Gallacher, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance, Costantino Rocca, Seve Ballesteros, David Gilford, Mark James, Howard Clark, Per-Ulrik Johansson, Philip Walton, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam
Friday’s Matches: Europe and USA tie 2-2 in morning; USA wins 3-1 in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 3-1 in morning; USA wins 3-1 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 7½ to 4½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 14½ to 13½
The 1995 Ryder Cup took place at the Oak Hill Country Club (East Course) in Pittsford, New York (S) – it started on Sept. 22 and ended on Sept. 24. David Gilford, Costantino Rocca, and Sam Torrance led Europe with 3.0 points, while Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, and Colin Montgomerie each had 2.0 points.
**Europe had lost the previous two Ryder Cups, but only lost by 1.0 point in 1991 and 2.0 points in 1993**
Team USA: Tom Kite (captain), Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Tom Lehman, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Maggert, Mark O’Meara, Scott Hoch, Brad Faxon, Lee Janzen, Fred Couples
Team Europe: Seve Ballesteros (captain), Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Per-Ulrik Johansson, Lee Westwood, Ignacio Garrido, Thomas Bjorn, Costantino Rocca, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo, Jesper Parnevik
Friday’s Matches: Europe and USA tie 2-2 in morning; Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 3½ to ½ in morning; Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: USA wins 8-4 in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 14½ to 13½
The 1997 Ryder Cup took place at the Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain – it started on Sept. 26 and ended on Sept. 28. Colin Montgomerie led Europe with 3.5 points, while Bernhard Langer and Costantino Rocca added 3.0 points each – Jose Maria Olazabal also did his part with 2.5 points.
**This was the second time Europe had ever won back-to-back Ryder Cups and the first time the contest was played in continental Europe**
Team USA: Curtis Strange (captain), Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Mark Calcavecchia, David Toms, Davis Love III, Scott Hoch, Jim Furyk, Hal Sutton, Stewart Cink, Scott Verplank, Paul Azinger
Team Europe: Sam Torrance (captain), Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie, Pierre Fulke, Lee Westwood, Paul McGinley, Niclas Fasth, Bernhard Langer, Phillip Price, Sergio Garcia, Jesper Parnevik
Friday’s Matches: Europe wins 3-1 in morning; USA wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe and USA tie 2-2 in morning; USA wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 7½ to 4½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 15½ to 12½
The 2002 Ryder Cup took place at The Belfry (Brabazon Course) in Wishaw, Warwickshire, England – it started on Sept. 27 and ended on Sept. 29. Colin Montgomerie led Europe with 4.5 points (4-0-1 record), while Bernhard Langer had 3.5 points (3-0-1). Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood had 3.0 points each.
**This was the fourth time the Ryder Cup was held at The Belfry, but it hasn’t been held there since**
7. 2004 Ryder Cup – Europe wins 18½ to 9½
Team Europe won the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills by a record margin – 18½ to 9½ points – and it was the USA's biggest defeat since the matches began in 1927 …. pic.twitter.com/9Y2MKzEnL5
Team USA: Hal Sutton (captain), Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, David Toms, Chad Campbell, Chris DiMarco, Fred Funk, Chris Riley, Jay Haas, Stewart Cink
Team Europe: Bernhard Langer (captain), Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Lee Westwood, Thomas Levet, Paul Casey, David Howell, Paul McGinley, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Colin Montgomerie
Friday’s Matches: Europe wins 3½ to ½ in morning; Europe wins 3-1 in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: USA wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe wins 3-1 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 7½ to 4½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 18½ to 9½
The 2004 Ryder Cup was held at the Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) in Bloomfield Township, Michigan (United States) – it started on Sept. 17 and ended on Sept. 19. Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood led Europe with 4.5 points each (combined 8-0-2 record), while Darren Clarke added 3.0 points.
**Europe’s 9-point win was a then-record margin of victory and it marked the third time Europe had won back-to-back Ryder Cups**
8. 2006 Ryder Cup – Europe wins 18½ to 9½
The 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club was the first to be played in Ireland. Europe won by 18½ to 9½ points, equalling their record winning margin of two years earlier for their third consecutive win. pic.twitter.com/JxPIBdGDWN
Team USA: Tom Lehman (captain), Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Chad Campbell, David Toms, Chris DiMarco, Vaughn Talor, J.J. Henry, Zach Johnson, Brett Wetterich, Stewart Cink, Scott Verplank
Team Europe: Ian Woosnam (captain), Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, David Howell, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, Robert Karlsson, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Jose Maria Olazabal, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood
Friday’s Matches: Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 8½ to 3½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 18½ to 9½
The 2006 Ryder Cup took place at The K Club (Palmer Course) in County Kildare, Ireland – it started on Sept. 22 and ended on Sept. 24. Garcia and Westwood again led Europe with 4.0 points each (combined 7-1-2 record), while Casey, Clarke, Donald, and Olazabal each had 3.0 points (combined 11-0-2 record).
**Europe’s 9-point win tied a then-record margin of victory and marked the first time Europe had won three Ryder Cups in a row**
Team USA: Corey Pavin (captain), Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler
Team Europe: Colin Montgomerie (captain), Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Peter Hanson, Edoardo Molinari, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington
Session 1 Matches: USA wins 2½ to 1½ in four-ball (play was suspended)
Session 2 Matches: USA wins 3½ to 2½ in foursomes
Session 3 Matches: Europe wins 2-0 in foursomes; Europe wins 5½ to ½ in four-ball
Session 4 Matches: USA wins 7-5 in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 14½ to 13½
The 2010 Ryder Cup took place at the Celtic Manor Resort (Twenty Ten Course) in Newport, Wales – it started on Oct. 1 and ended on Oct. 4. Luke Donald and Ian Poulter led Europe with 3.0 points each (6-2-0 record), while Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, and Lee Westwood added 2.5 points each.
**Europe lost the 2008 Ryder Cup in the US, but returned to Europe in 2010 – where they secured their fourth consecutive win on European soil**
Team USA: Davis Love III (captain), Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Dustin Johnson
Team Europe: Jose Maria Olazabal (captain), Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Nicolas Colsaerts, Ian Poulter
Friday’s Matches: Europe and USA tie 2-2 in morning; USA wins 3-1 in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: USA wins 3-1 in morning; Europe and USA tie 2-2 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 8½ to 3½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 14½ to 13½
The 2012 Ryder Cup took place at the Medinah Country Club (Course No. 3) in Medinah, Illinois (United States) – it started on September 28 and ended on September 30. Ian Poulter led Europe with 4.0 points and a perfect 4-0-0 record, while Rory McIlroy (3-2-0) and Justin Rose (3-2-0) added 3.0 points each.
**This marked Europe’s fourth time winning back-to-back Ryder Cups and their first win on American soil since 2004**
Team USA: Tom Watson (captain), Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan
Team Europe: Paul McGinley (captain), Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Victor Dubuisson, Jamie Donaldson, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Thomas Bjorn, Graeme McDowell, Stephen Gallacher, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood
Friday’s Matches: USA wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe wins 3½ to ½ in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: USA wins 2½ to 1½ in morning; Europe wins 3½ to ½ in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 6½ to 5½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 16½ to 11½
The 2014 Ryder Cup took place at the Gleneagles Hotel (PGA Centenary Course) in Auchterarder, Perth & Kinross, Scotland – it started on Sept. 26 and ended on Sept. 28. Justin Rose led Europe with 4.0 points, while Jamie Donaldson, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, and Henrik Stenson had 3.0 points each.
**This marked the second time Europe won three consecutive Ryder Cups and marked their sixth win in the past seven tournaments**
Team USA: Jim Furyk (captain), Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Tony Finau
Team Europe: Thomas Bjorn (captain), Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson
Friday’s Matches: USA wins 3-1 in morning; Europe wins 4-1 in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 3-1 in morning; Europe and USA tie 2-2 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe wins 7½ to 4½ in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 17½ to 10½
The 2018 Ryder Cup took place at Le Golf National (Albatros Course) in Guyancourt, Île-de-France – it started on Sept. 28 and ended on Sept. 30. Francesco Molinari (5-0-0) led Europe with 5.0 points, while Tommy Fleetwood (4-1-0)had 4.0 points – Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson had 3.0 points each.
**This marked the sixth consecutive for Europe on European soil and their 7th win in the past 9 tournaments**
Team USA: Zach Johnson (captain), Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler
Team Europe: Luke Donald (captain), Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Nicolai Hojgaard, Ludvig Aberg
Friday’s Matches: Europe wins 4-0 in morning; Europe wins 2½ to 1½ in afternoon
Saturday’s Matches: Europe wins 3-1 in morning; USA wins 3-1 in afternoon
Sunday’s Matches: Europe and USA tie 6-6 in singles matches
Final Tally: Europe wins 16½ to 11½
The 2023 Ryder Cup took place at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Rome, Italy – it started on Sept. 29 and ended on Oct. 1. Rory McIlroy led Europe with 4.0 points and a 4-1-0 record, while Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland each added 3.5 points (combined 6-1-2 record).
**This marked Europe’s 7th win on European soil and marked their 12th win since 1985**
When and Where is the Next Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup is a biennial tournament, which means it takes place every other year. The 2023 Ryder Cup – which was the 44th edition of the Ryder Cup – was played at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio (Rome, Italy) between September 29 and October 1. Europe won, of course.
While there won’t be any Ryder Cup action in 2024, the tournament will return to the United States in 2025 at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Of course, that won’t be starting until September 25, 2025 – so we’ll have to keep ourselves entertained with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Did you know that the PGA Tour is returning to a calendar year schedule in 2024? The 2024 season will start on January 4 with The Sentry in Hawaii and end with the Wyndham Championship on August 11 – followed by the start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs on August 18 and the Tour Championship on September 1.
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