The Ryder Cup has come a long way since the first matches were held in 1927. Here, George Carey looks back at some of the most memorable moments from golf’s greatest spectacle.

The Ryder Cup has certainly earned its place as one of the major events in the international sporting calendar. Pulling in global audiences and playing host to huge live crowds, it enjoys mass appeal that shows no sign of abating. This was, however, not always the case and were it not for the evolution of the tournament, it would be far less of a spectacle today. After watching two early incarnations of the transatlantic contest, which pitted the US against a British team, seed merchant Samuel Ryder was keen to see the tournament staged on a more regular basis and enquired as such to the Professional Golf Association. The PGA was happy to stage the tournament more regularly and Ryder commissioned a solid gold trophy. The first official Ryder Cup took place in 1927, at The Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Walter Hagen typified the American team’s dominance and they finished comfortable winners with a 9.5–2.5 victory. As it transpired, many years later, the British team would need to cast their net further afield if they were to mount a challenge to the US.

A true sportsman

The 1969 contest at Royal Birkdale proved to be an intensely competitive affair. Incredibly, more than half of the matches played were not settled until the final hole. It was the contest between Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus though, that provided the greatest drama and arguably the most famous moment in the history of the tournament. It was Nicklaus’ first Ryder Cup and the pair were drawn together in the first round of singles matches, which saw Jacklin finish victorious with a 4&3 win. As fate would have it, they were again paired in the afternoon singles. After Jacklin’s morning victory, GB&I held a 13–11 lead but as they stood on the 17th tee that afternoon, with Jacklin trailing, the teams were all square at 15.5–15.5. He rescued the situation with an eagle on the 17th, which brought him level going into the final hole. Nicklaus holed for par, leaving Jacklin with a four foot putt to halve the match. To the astonishment of all around him, Nicklaus picked up the Englishman’s marker and conceded the putt, reportedly saying: “I know you wouldn’t have missed that, but, in these circumstances, I didn’t want to give you the opportunity.” The result was the first draw between the two teams and America retained the title. This was not a popular move with a number of his team-mates, in particular his captain Sam Snead. However, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest examples of sportsmanship ever and held as an example of how “the gentleman’s game” should be played.

Europe strikes back

When GB&I were yet again defeated by the US in 1977, many, including Jack Nicklaus, decided that something should be done to reignite the competition. In an effort to redress the balance after 20 years of American dominance, it was decided that a European team would be formed and they competed for the first time in 1979 at The Greenbrier, West Virginia. Whilst the change didn’t have an instant effect, it would prove to be a significant one. The Belfry in 1985 provided the backdrop for Europe’s first victory, which took the title back from the US for the first time since 1957. In the Eighties, the most significant addition to our Anglo-Saxon efforts was a new wave of Spanish talent, spearheaded by Seve Ballesteros. Revered by many as one of the most exciting golfers ever, he would prove to play a defining role in Europe’s ensuing dominance. The Europeans had come close in ’83 and arrived at the Belfry in ‘85 eager to turn things around. After impressive performances from Ballesteros and Manuel Pinero, Sam Torrance had the chance to seal victory for Europe, against two-time US Open Champion Andy North. When the American’s tee shot at the 18th found the water, Torrance pounced on the mistake. After two excellent shots, an 18-foot putt was the last obstacle to an historic European victory. Known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, the Scot threw his hands in the air and cried tears of joy, as the ball slowly approached and then disappeared into the hole. Europe’s first away win In 1987, Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus went head-to-head again, but this time as non-playing captains. The venue for the tournament was Muirfield Village, a course that Nicklaus designed himself. This, coupled with the fact that no team had ever beaten the US in their own country, gave the Americans confidence that the crown would be heading back across the pond. However, no one had given the European team a copy of the script and, heading into the final day, they only needed four points from the twelve available to secure back-to-back wins. A shaky start from the visitors saw them only pick up just one of the first seven points, but remarkable wins from Ballesteros and Eamon Darcy clinched victory. Darcy’s triumph earned him his first Ryder Cup point in 10 attempts and was particularly bizarre because his opponent, Ben Crenshaw, was forced to use a wedge on the greens after he got into a slight disagreement with his putter on the sixth green and broke it. He could only look on as a resilient Darcy holed his putt on the 18th to seal the contest.

A draw is enough

A return to The Belfry in 1989 saw the Europeans do just enough to retain the Cup, earning a 14–14 draw. When they found themselves behind in nine of the singles matches it seemed that something drastic would need to occur to stop the Americans taking back the considerable bragging rights at stake. Salvation arrived in the unlikely figure of Christy O’Connor. O’Connor found himself a shot behind his opponent Fred Couples on the 18th and, whilst Couples had a fairly easy nine iron between him and the green, the Irishman had 240 yards to clear between him and a small and difficult putting surface. With his two iron, he produced a once in a lifetime shot, which left him within three feet of the hole. The shock was apparently too much for Couples and, after a disastrous approach shot, he was forced to concede the hole. Doing an uncanny impression of Torrance four years earlier, O’Connor spontaneously burst into tears. It proved to be the turning point and Europe held on for another two years.

The War on the Shore

The contest between Seve Ballesteros and Paul Azinger in ’91 unfolded in stark contrast to the atmosphere of mutual respect and admiration between Nicklaus and Jacklin in ’69. There was already bad blood between the two from an altercation at the Belfry in ’89 and, when competing in a foursomes match, the Spaniard accused Azinger and his partner Beck of breaking the rules because of a ball change on the 7th tee. Ballesteros and his partner Olazabal won 2&1 and kept the pressure on. The hopes of a continent then rested on Bernhard Langer, who was left with a six-foot putt to halve the match and keep the coveted trophy in European hands. He clearly felt the weight of expectation and could only watch in horror as his putt slid harmlessly wide.

Comeback kings

Having been defeated in the two previous competitions, Europe feared the worst as they went into the final day in 1995 two points behind and staring down the barrel of a third loss in a row. They would need a colossal performance to snatch victory on the final day. The inclusion of Curtis Strange in the American team had polarised opinion amongst his compatriots and, unfortunately for him, he proved his doubters right. Leading Europe’s ice man, Nick Faldo, by two shots with three to play, the pressure proved too much and the rest of his performance can be summed up in one word; choke. He bogeyed all three of the last holes and Faldo claimed the match. Fantastic individual performancesfrom Torrance, Ian Woosnam and Ballesteros amongst others were rewarded when Philip Walton sank his putt on the 18th to defeat Jay Haas and seal European victory.

It’s my green and I’ll dance if I want to

The 1999 encounter at Brookline saw an amazing comeback from the Americans, which will unfortunately not be what it’s remembered for by most Europeans. On the eve of the final day’s play, the US were 10–6 down and seemed to be on the way to yet another defeat. Their Captain Ben Crenshaw retained his confidence in the team’s abilities and told his players: “I’ve got a good feeling about this.” A courageous fightback followed and a stunned European side found themselves on the ropes. Justin Leonard stood over a putt of Titanic proportions on the 17th,with 45 feet between him and the hole. In a moment of sheer brilliance he sank the putt and the American team threw etiquette out of the window. Players and their wives all burst onto the green celebrating, under the assumption that he had capped off anepic comeback. The only problem was that his opponent still had a putt which, if successful, would halve the match and keep the European challenge alive. Olazabal missed the putt and Europe’s fate was sealed. It was a disappointing end to an incredible comeback.

Monty rewards Langer's faith

After a year of mixed fortunes on and off the course, Colin Montgomerie was delighted to be selected as one of Bernhard Langer’s three wild card picks for the 2004 contest. It proved to be an inspired decision. He was paired with Padraig Harrington in the foursomes to face Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods – on paper, the best the American team had to offer. In a clear statement of intent, he birdied the first hole and didn’t look back. They went on to win the match and put a serious dent in American morale. Monty continued to shine and secured European victory with a win against David Toms in the singles. It proved to be Europe’s most emphatic victory to date, finishing 18.5–9.5, which was the widest margin of victory since the Americans inflicted the same score on Europe in ’81.

Triumph over adversity

Just five weeks before the start of the contest in 2006, Darren Clarke lost his wife to cancer, at the age of 39. Team captain Ian Woosnam offered Clarke a wild card to compete at the K Club, which, after consulting with his friend Ewen Murray, he accepted. The pair embarked upon two weeks of intensive and emotional training at Clarke’s home course, Queenwood. As Clarke and his closest friend Lee Westwood were announced on the first tee, a roar erupted that isn’t likely to be heard on a golf course again. Both picked as wild cards, they defeated Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco on the first day, followed by Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk on the second. The third day saw him secure maximum points as he sunk the winning putt against singles opponent Zach Johnson, at which point he finally let the emotions of the past months rise to the surface and passed into the shadows to grieve.