Ryder Cup Winners

The Ryder Cup has long been regarded as the most prestigious team prize in golf. Over the span of almost a century of Ryder Cup tournaments, the event has become famous for hard-fought contests. In recent years many of the tournaments have been plagued by controversy, with both sides making allegations of bad sportsmanship, and even the spectators blamed for undesirable results by the losing team.

1927-1971 Britain vs. The United States

The Ryder Cup was initially a tournament between the two countries where professional golf was played. The earliest contests were evenly matched affairs, with the two teams picking up two titles apiece in the first four Ryder Cup tournaments.

However, as the popularity of golf grew in the United States, so did the strength of its team, and from 1935 onwards the American Ryder Cup team consistently out muscled the best golfers in Britain, resulting in the British winning only one Ryder Cup between 1935 and 1971.

1973-1977 Britain & Ireland vs. The United States

During the 1970s the British called in reinforcements as they attempted to win their first Ryder Cup in 40 years. The recruitment of the best players in Ireland into the British Ryder Cup team had little impact on its performances, however, as it lost three consecutive Ryder Cup tournaments, two of which were played in the United Kingdom.

1979-2006 Europe vs. The United States

By the end of the 1970s the British team realised that radical change would be required to end their dismal run in the Ryder Cup. With European countries beginning to produce top quality golfers, the team was opened up to players from other European countries.

The change in Ryder Cup team composition was slow to take effect, as America won the next three Ryder Cups as well. However, in 1985 the European team finally flexed its muscles, handing the United States its first Ryder Cup defeat for almost 3 decades.

The European Ryder Cup team went on to win the next two Ryder Cups, establishing itself as an opponent to be reckoned with. Since achieving its breakthrough win in 1985, the European Ryder Cup team has enjoyed consistent success in the tournament, by winning 8 of its 14 Ryder Cup encounters against the United States.