Looking back on the greatest ever Ryder Cups in golf history

The 2023 Ryder Cup is still nine months away, yet already, packages to the event, played for the first time on Italian soil at Marco Simone Golf Club just outside Rome, are sold out. The Ryder Cup is truly one of the crowning events of the sporting calendar. It is golf’s version of the World Cup, the Super Bowl and the Kentucky Derby all rolled into one.

Everyone likes to place a bet

Something else the Ryder Cup has in common with those other great sporting events is that it captures the imagination and attention of the masses. Even those who usually have little interest in golf keep up with the action, and maybe even place a bet on the winner. This will be especially the case among US fans, among whom Ohioans can join in the fun for the first time in 2023, having officially opened up their online sports betting on January 01. There is more information at betJACK golf for anyone in Ohio or elsewhere looking for golf betting guidance and tips.

This year, USA are the marginal favorites in the sports books. On the face of it, that’s no big surprise. After all, USA’s 19-9 victory in 2021 was the widest winning margin since 1963, and taken as a whole, USA have 27 victories to Europe’s 14. However, that includes USA’s incredible undefeated run over 13 tournaments from 1959 to 1985. Since then, the Ryder Cup has been a closely battled affair. Let’s take a look at some of the all-time classics from the modern era.

1985 – A new era dawned

The year that brought us Brothers in Arms and Back to the Future saw a Lee Trevino-led US team that had not lost a Ryder Cup since 1957 arrive at The Belfry full of confidence. Initially, it looked like business as usual, with USA 3-1 up after the first session. However, by the time they went into Sunday’s singles, Europe had a slender lead. The leaderboard became a sea of blue as legends like Sandy Lyle, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance all played error-free golf when it mattered most.

1991 – the war on the shore

The USA wrote that 1957 European win off as a temporary blip – it had been Europe’s only win since 1933. However, the 1985 victory saw a genuine shift of fortunes, as Europe won again in 1987 and then retained the cup when the 1989 event was tied. A new decade brought a new attitude as a ruthless US team and their exuberant fans used every tool available to undermine the visiting Europeans. This included accusations of gamesmanship and there were several controversies during the tournament. Ultimately, however, the deciding factor was a six foot putt that would have clinched it for Europe – captain Bernhard Langer narrowly missed it to the right, and the cup returned to US hands.

2012 – the miracle at Medinah

When the Ryder Cup got underway at Medinah Country Club in 2012, both teams were still mourning the recent loss of Seve Ballesteros, a golfing legend and the veteran of eight Ryder Cups. With two games to finish on Saturday, USA led 10-4, and Europe needed a miracle. It started with Ian Poulter birdieing five of the last six holes to leave Europe with just a chance, and ended with Europe somehow claiming 8.5 points in the singles, surely inspired by memories of Seve.