Ryder Cup: Relive the epic European victories on American soil

The Ryder Cup, often defined by the fervor of local crowds and familiarity with the terrain, reaches its peak when conquered on hostile territory. European victories on American soil, defying history and adversity, are the ones that endure in memory. This year, Luke Donald returns as European captain with a team considered by many to be one of the strongest in history, aiming for a momentous victory in the United States. The task, however, is not easy. History at Bethpage Black suggests a difficult challenge: the European team has only achieved four victories on US soil against the US team. Each of these victories has been a drama in itself, with unexpected heroes and a lasting impact. Here, a review of those feats.

1987: Muirfield Village, Ohio

In 1987, few outside the European camp believed in the possibility of an away victory in the Ryder Cup, held at Muirfield Village, Ohio, the course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The United States held an undefeated home record of 13-0 for six decades. Despite the European victory at The Belfry in 1985, many considered the hosts to be the dominant force. Muirfield, Nicklaus’s pride, was expected to consolidate that superiority.

However, Tony Jacklin’s team had other plans. Led by the talent and passion of Seve Ballesteros and the precision of Nick Faldo, Europe took a 6-2 lead on the first day, winning all four afternoon matches. That lead extended to 10½-5½ after Saturday, leaving Europe on the brink of history.

On Sunday, the pressure was inevitable, and the United States attempted a comeback. However, the Europeans held firm. Eamonn Darcy’s victory over Ben Crenshaw, whose broken putter became a symbol of American frustration, was crucial. Ballesteros, with four points, was in charge of securing the victory with a decisive putt in a 2&1 victory over Curtis Strange. Europe showed that it could travel, compete, and conquer.

1995: Oak Hill Country Club, New York

By 1995, the Ryder Cup was no longer an absolute American domain, but winning in the United States was still a rare and highly valued achievement. Europe arrived in Rochester under the expert direction of Bernard Gallacher, who captained for the third and final time after close defeats at Kiawah Island and The Belfry. The opposition, although inexperienced, was hungry. Promising rookies like Tom Lehmann and Phil Mickelson joined major winners like Corey Pavin, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange and Fred Couples, while Europe had three of the six best golfers in the world: Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie. The United States led 9-7 before Sunday’s singles, which it had won in the last four Ryder Cups. Few imagined that Europe could come back. What followed was one of the most clinical Sundays of the Ryder Cup. The visitors scored 7½ of the 12 individual points at stake to win the tournament 14½-13½. Despite the European talent, it was the modest Irish rookie Philip Walton who kept his cool to win 1-up against Jay Haas and secure the vital point. Europeans delivered when it mattered most.

2004: Oakland Hills Country Club, Michigan

If there was a Ryder Cup in which the final result never seemed to be in doubt, it was the one at Oakland Hills in 2004. From the first session, Langer’s Europe proved to be superior to its American counterparts. The result of 18½-9½, a record at the time for a European team, did not fully reflect the magnitude of the victory.

Europe dominated in all but one session. The score was 6½-1½ at the end of Friday, when the highly publicized Mickelson-Tiger Woods pairing was defeated, and 11-5 after two days. Faced with the need to climb a mountain, the United States only won four singles matches on Sunday. It was an absolute dominance.

Every European player contributed to the scoreboard, a symbol of unity. Stars like Sergio García and Lee Westwood shone, but it was the collective effort that surpassed the United States. “The best team I’ve been a part of,” Montgomerie would later say.

Oakland Hills was not only a victory, but a declaration of intent.

2012: Medinah Country Club, Illinois

Few sporting comebacks can compare to what Europe achieved in Medinah. With a 10-6 deficit entering the final day, and facing an in-form American team in front of a crowd in Chicago, José María Olazábal’s team seemed defeated. Then, a seismic shift occurred.

The spark ignited on Saturday, when Ian Poulter, a man possessed, birdied the last five holes of his fourball match with Rory McIlroy to give Europe a lifeline. On Sunday, the European players, one by one, began to turn the matches around. Donald set the tone. McIlroy, although late, delivered. Justin Rose’s finish with birdie-birdie, including a 40-foot putt on the 17th, was impressive. And Martin Kaymer, under enormous pressure, holed a putt on the 18th to retain the cup. When Woods missed a four-foot putt to tie the last match with Francesco Molinari, it was all over. They won 8½ of the 12 individual points, surprising the United States and securing a 14½-13½ victory. Olazábal, who captained with Ballesteros’ silhouette embroidered on his chest, dedicated the victory to his late friend, who had passed away a year earlier. Emotion welled up from every European player. The Miracle at Medinah, the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history, had been completed.