The success of the Ryder Cup is often shaped by what happens at home: the roaring crowds, the familiar fairways, and the psychological edge of hosting. But victory achieved in the Atlantic Ocean deep within hostile territory tends to leave the deepest mark.
This year, Luke Donald will return as the captain, which many believe is one of Europe’s strongest teams, aiming for a key victory in the US soil. History suggests a difficult task at Bethpage Black. Team Europe has managed only four overseas wins against Team USA amid recent success at home.
Each had its own drama, its own hero, and its own enduring influence.
1987 – Muirfield Village, Ohio
Heading towards the 1987 Ryder Cup at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village, few people really believed that Road victory could be possible outside of European camps. The US had a 60-year, unbeaten home record of 13-0, and despite Europe’s groundbreaking victory at Belfry in 1985, many saw the host as the dominant force. Muirfield – Nicklaus’ pride and joy – was to emphasize its superiority.
But there were other ideas on Tony Jacklyn’s side. Leaded by Seve Ballesteros’ fire and talent and Nick Faldo’s frozen precision, Europe opened a 6-2 lead on the first day, winning all four ball games on the 4th, leading to 10½-5½ after Saturday. They were on the brink of history.
Sunday’s singles brought in inevitable pressure and gave us a lively comeback, but the Europeans were held firmly. Eamon Darcy won Ben Crenshaw – the snapped putter became a symbol of our frustration (he placed one of his iron after the sixth hole) – was one of several gritty victories that sealed the 15-13 victory. Appropriately, Ballesteros, who scored the top score with four points, was the guy with a clinch putt who scored a 2&1 victory over Curtis Strange.
Europe was proving that they could travel, compete and conquer.
1995 – Oakhill Country Club, New York
By 1995, the Ryder Cup was no longer an American event on one side, but victory in the US was still rare and respected.
Europe arrived in Rochester under the experienced eyes of Bernard Gallacher and captained the team’s third final time after a narrow defeat at Kiawha Island and the Bell Tower. The opposition parties were inexperienced, but were hungry. Up-and-coming rookies like Tom Lehman and Phil Mickelson complemented major winners Corey Pavin, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange and Fred Couple, with Europe having three of the world’s current top six golfers.
However, few imagined they could be caught as the US led 9-7 and headed for Sunday’s singles, where the final four Ryder Cups were won.
Then it was one of the more clinical Sundays in the Ryder Cup. Visitors claimed 7½ out of the 12 single points offered to edge the contest 14½-13½. For all European stars, it was the modest Irish rookie Philip Walton who got nervous to secure one against Jay Haas and secure a key point.
Europeans were delivered when it was most important.
2004-Oakland Hills Country Club, Michigan
If there was a Ryder Cup that had no doubts about the final result, it was Oakland Hills in 2004. From the opening session, Langer’s Europe looked sharper than his American counterparts. 18½-9½ scoreline – records from the European team at the time (repeated results two years later) – little has told the full story about how comprehensive this victory is.
Europe ruled everything except one session. The score was 6½-1½ by the end of Friday – the highly marketed Mickelson Tiger Woods partnership was defeated, 11-5 two days later.
Facing mountain climbing, the US won four singles matches on Sunday. It was Panmering.
All European players contributed to the scoreboard – a rare, powerful symbol of unity. Stars like Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were outstanding, but it was the collective effort that overwhelmed “the best team I’ve ever been involved in.”
Auckland Hills felt not only a victory, but a statement.
2012 – Illinois Medina Country Club
Few sports comebacks rival those Europe has pulled away in the Medina. Chasing 10-6 on the final day and facing a red-hot US team playing in front of the Chicago crowd, Jose Maria Orazabal’s side appeared to be beaten. Queue earthquake shifts.
Sparks came late Saturday and birded the final five holes in four ball matches with Rory McIlroy to give Europe a lifeline. Then on Sunday, European players began flipping through each and every match.
Donald set the tone. McIlroy arrived late but was delivered. Justin Rose’s birdie bydy finish (featuring 40 footers on the 17th) was breathtaking from Mickelson’s edge. And in the face of enormous pressure, Martin Kaymer sinks a putt that is 18 to hold the cup. It ended when Woods missed four footers to halve his final match against Francesco Molinari.
They scored 8½ of 12 single points, surprising the US and sealed a 14½-13½ victory. Olazabal captained the ballesteros silhouette embroidered on his chest, offering his victory to his deceased friend who passed away a year ago. Emotions poured in from all European players.
The miracle of Medina, the Ryder Cup’s biggest comeback, was perfect.
