The Ryder Cup, with its electrifying atmosphere and the inherent pressure of competition, is often defined by what happens at home. However, victories achieved on hostile territory, across the Atlantic, are the ones that endure in the collective memory.This year, Luke Donald returns as captain with a European team that many consider one of the strongest in history, aiming for a momentous victory on American soil. History suggests a difficult task at Bethpage Black; the European team, despite its recent successes at home, has only achieved four victories on US territory against the United States team.
Historic European Ryder Cup Victories in the United States
Each of these victories had its own drama, its own heroes, and its lasting impact.1987 – Muirfield Village, Ohio
Before the 1987 Ryder Cup at Muirfield Village, designed by Jack Nicklaus, few outside the European camp believed a victory as a visitor was possible. The United States had an undefeated home record of 13-0 spanning six decades, and despite Europe’s victory at The Belfry in 1985, many still saw the hosts as the dominant force. Muirfield, Nicklaus’ pride, was to underscore that superiority.
However, Tony Jacklin’s team had other plans. Led by the fire and style of Seve Ballesteros and the icy precision of Nick Faldo, Europe opened a 6-2 lead on the first day, winning all four afternoon fourball matches, and then increased that lead to 10½-5½ after Saturday. They were on the verge of history.Sunday’s singles brought the inevitable pressure and a spirited comeback from the United States, but the Europeans held firm. Eamonn Darcy’s victory over Ben Crenshaw, whose broken putter became a symbol of American frustration (he played with his 1-iron after the sixth hole), was one of several brave victories that sealed the 15-13 triumph. Ballesteros, who scored the most points with four points, was the man who made the decisive putt in a 2&1 victory over Curtis Strange.Europe had shown that it could travel, compete, and conquer.1995 – Oak Hill Country Club, New York
2004 – Oakland Hills Country Club, Michigan
If there was ever a Ryder Cup where the final result never seemed in doubt, it was at Oakland Hills in 2004. From the inaugural session, Langer’s Europe showed itself to be sharper than its American counterparts. The score of 18½-9½, a record at the time for a European team (they would repeat the result two years later), barely told the whole story of how complete this victory was.
Europe dominated in all but one session. The score was 6½-1½ at the end of Friday, when the highly publicized Mickelson-Tiger Woods partnership was defeated, and 11-5 after two days.Facing a mountain to climb, the United States only won four singles matches on Sunday. It was a thrashing.
Every single European player contributed to the score, 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
Few sporting comebacks rival what Europe achieved in Medinah. Losing 10-6 entering the final day, and facing an in-form American team playing in front of a roaring Chicago crowd, José María Olazábal’s team seemed defeated. Then a seismic shift occurred.
The spark came on Saturday afternoon, when Ian Poulter, a possessed man, birdied the last five holes in his fourball match with Rory McIlroy to give Europe a lifeline. Then, on Sunday, the European players, one by one, began to turn the matches.Donald set the pace. McIlroy arrived late but delivered. Justin Rose’s closing birdie-birdie finish, with 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 8½ of the 12 individual points, surprising the United States and sealing a 14½-13½ victory. Olazábal, captaining with the silhouette of Ballesteros 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, was completed.
