Ryder Cup: Relive the epic European victories on USA soil

The Ryder Cup, often defined by the fervor of its fans and the familiarity of the local terrain, reaches its maximum expression in victories obtained on hostile territory. These triumphs forged on American soil are the ones that endure in the collective memory.This year, Luke Donald returns as Europe’s captain, leading a team considered by many to be one of the strongest in history, with their sights set on a momentous victory in the United States. History, however, suggests a considerable challenge at Bethpage Black. The European team, despite its recent successes at home, has only managed four victories on US soil against the US team.

Memorable Successes on American Soil

Each of these victories has been marked by dramatic moments, unexpected heroes, and a lasting impact.

1987: Muirfield Village, Ohio

The European team broke their streak in the United States in 1987, with Seve Ballesteros as a prominent figure at Muirfield Village.

In 1987, few outside the European camp believed in the possibility of a victory on American soil. 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, the pride of Jack Nicklaus, was to confirm that superiority.

But Tony Jacklin’s team had other plans. Led by the fire and talent of Seve Ballesteros and the precision of Nick Faldo, Europe took a 6-2 lead on the first day, winning all four afternoon matches. The lead was extended to 10½-5½ on Saturday, leaving the team on the brink of history.Sunday’s singles brought with them inevitable pressure and an American comeback, but the Europeans held firm. Eamonn Darcy’s victory over Ben Crenshaw, whose broken putter symbolized American frustration (he played with his 1-iron after the sixth hole), was one of several victories that sealed the 15-13 triumph. Ballesteros, with four points, was the architect of the decisive putt, securing the 2&1 victory over Curtis Strange.Europe had demonstrated its ability to travel, compete, and conquer.

1995: Oak Hill Country Club, New York

Philip Walton holed the winning putt for Europe in 1995 in Rochester.By 1995, the Ryder Cup was no longer a one-sided American affair, but victories in the United States were still rare and revered.Europe arrived in Rochester under the direction of Bernard Gallacher, who captained for the third and final time after narrow defeats at Kiawah Island and The Belfry. The opposition was inexperienced, but hungry. Rising rookies like Tom Lehmann and Phil Mickelson joined major winners 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.But when the United States led 9-7 before Sunday’s singles, which they had won in the last four Ryder Cups, few imagined they could be caught.What followed was one of the most clinical Sundays of the Ryder Cup. The visitors obtained 7½ of the 12 individual points at stake to win the tournament 14½-13½. Despite the European power, it was the modest Irish rookie Philip Walton who kept his cool to win 1-up against Jay Haas and secure the vital point.The Europeans surrendered when it mattered most.

2004: Oakland Hills Country Club, Michigan

Europe dominated the United States in 2004 with a record score.

If there was a Ryder Cup where the final result never seemed to be in doubt, it was at Oakland Hills in 2004. From the first session, Langer’s Europe seemed more precise than their American counterparts. The score of 18½-9½, a record at the time for a European team (repeating the result two years later), barely told the complete story of how complete this victory was.

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

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

Oakland Hills not only felt like a victory, but like a declaration.

2012: Medinah Country Club, Illinois

Ian Poulter was a man possessed on Saturday and led the European comeback, before a miraculous final day.

Few sporting comebacks rival what Europe achieved in Medinah. Trailing 10-6 before the final day, and facing an in-form American team playing in front of a raucous Chicago crowd, José María Olazábal’s team looked defeated. Then came a seismic shift.

The spark ignited on Saturday afternoon, when Ian Poulter, a man possessed, birdied the last five holes of his fourball match with Rory McIlroy to give Europe a chance. On Sunday, the European players, one by one, began to turn the matches around.Donald set the tone. McIlroy arrived late but delivered. Justin Rose’s finish with birdie-birdie, which included a 40-foot putt on the 17th, was impressive. And Martin Kaymer, facing enormous pressure, holed a nerveless putt on the 18th to retain the cup. When Woods missed a four-foot putt to tie the final match with Francesco Molinari, it was all over.They won 8 1/2 of the 12 individual points, surprising the United States and securing a 14 1/2-13 1/2 victory. Olazábal, captaining 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 of Medinah, the greatest comebacks in the Ryder Cup, had been completed.