Ryder Cup history, results from previous matches featuring the United States vs. Europe

The inaugural Ryder Cup was held at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts in 1927, and featured eight players from the United States and Great Britain competing for 12 points.

The biennial bash between the United States and all of Europe as we know it now dates back to 1979, with teams of 12 competing for 28 points. In those 21 matches, Team Europe has the slight advantage at 11-9-1, but the U.S. currently holds the Cup after its historic 19-9 win in 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

From winners and captains to best performers, brush up on the history of the Ryder Cup featuring the United States vs. Europe.

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2021

Team USA player Dustin Johnson reacts to his putt on the 6th green during day three singles rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

Location: Whistling Straits, Wisconsin
Winner: United States, 19–9
U.S. Captain: Steve Stricker
Europe Captain: Padraig Harrington
Best performer(s): Dustin Johnson, 5 points out of a possible 5

2018

Francesco Molinari of Europe celebrates winning The Ryder Cup during singles matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 30, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Location: Le Golf National, France
Winner: Europe, 17½-10½
Europe Captain: Thomas Bjorn
U.S. Captain: Jim Furyk
Best performer(s): Francesco Molinari, 5 points out of a possible 5

2016

Rickie Fowler drinks champagne during the closing ceremony of the Ryder Cup Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Location: Hazeltine National Golf Club, Minnesota
Winner: United States, 17–11
U.S. Captain: Davis Love III
Europe Captain: Darren Clarke
Best performer(s): Thomas Pieters, 4 points out of a possible 5

2014

Graeme McDowell of Europe reacts after victory against Jordan Spieth of the United States on the 17th hole during the Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at the Gleneagles Hotel on September 28, 2014 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Location: Gleneagles, Scotland
Winner: Europe, 16½-11½
Europe Captain: Paul McGinley
U.S. Captain: Tom Watson
Best performer(s): Justin Rose, 4 points out of a possible 5

2012

Europe’s Rory McIlroy reacts after making a birdie putt on the 13th hole during a four-ball match at the Ryder Cup Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois.

Location: Medinah Country Club, Illinois
Winner: Europe, 14½-13½
Europe Captain: Jose María Olazabal
U.S. Captain: Davis Love III
Best performer(s): Ian Poulter, 4 points out of a possible 4

2010

Ross Fisher (left) and Padraig Harrington celebrate at the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Location: Celtic Manor, Wales
Winner: Europe, 14½-13½
Europe Captain: Colin Montgomerie
U.S. Captain: Corey Pavin
Best performer(s): Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods; 3 points out of a possible 4

2008

USA captain Paul Azinger is sprayed with champagne after defeating the Europeans on day 3 of the 37th Ryder Cup at the Valhalla Golf Club in 2008. (Photo: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports)

Location: Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky
Winner: United States, 16½-11½
U.S. Captain: Paul Azinger
Europe Captain: Nick Faldo
Best performer(s): Ian Poulter, 4 points out of a possible 5

2006

Europe’s Paul Casey, center, is embraced by his partner Jocelyn Hefner as they watch a replay of his hole-in-one on the 14th tee after the foursomes match against Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson of the United States, on the second day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club, Straffan, Ireland, Saturday Sept. 23, 2006.

Location: K Club, Ireland
Winner: Europe, 18½-9½
Europe Captain: Ian Woosnam
U.S. Captain: Tom Lehman
Best performer(s): Sergio García and Lee Westwood, 4 points out of a possible 5

2004

Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington hold the prize as the European team celebrates winning the 2004 Ryder Cup in Detroit, Michigan, September 19, 2004. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Location: Oakland Hills Country Club
Winner: Europe, 18½-9½
Europe Captain: Bernhard Langer
U.S. Captain: Hal Sutton
Best performer(s): Sergio García and Lee Westwood, 4½ points out of a possible 5

2002

European player Sergio Garcia, of Spain, pumps his fist after making a long putt on the 4th green during the match against Tiger Woods and Mark Calcavecchia during 34th Ryder Cup at The Belfry near Sutton Coldfield 27 September 2002. Garcia was playing with Lee Westwood and won the match 2&1. (Photo: Jeff Haynes/AFP via Getty Images)

Location: The Belfry, England
Winner: Europe, 15½-12½
Europe Captain: Sam Torrance
U.S. Captain: Curtis Strange
Best performer(s): Colin Montgomerie, 4½ points out of a possible 5

 

1999

The 1999 U.S. Ryder Cup team of Justin Leonard, Steve Pate, Payne Stewart, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Maggert, Captain Ben Crenshaw, David Duval, Tiger Woods, Tom Lehman, Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, Hal Sutton and Mark O’Meara celebrate after winning at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Timoth A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Location: The Country Club, Massachusetts
Winner: United States, 14½-13½
Europe Captain: Mark James Sutton
U.S. Captain: Ben Crenshaw
Best performer(s): Sergio Garcia, Paul Lawrie, Colin Montgomerie, Jesper Parnevik, 3½ points out of a possible 5

1997

European captain Seve Ballesteros holds the trophy in the rain after his team beat the U.S. 14.5-13.5 to win the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, Spain.

Location: Valderrama Golf Club, Spain
Winner: Europe 14½–13½
Europe Captain: Seve Ballesteros
U.S. Captain: Tom Kite
Best performer(s): Colin Montgomerie, 3½ points out of a possible 5

1995

U.S. player Corey Pavin after chipping in on the 18th to win his match Saturday afternoon at the 1995 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Karen Schiely)

Location: Oak Hill Country Club, New York
Winner: Europe, 14½–13½
Europe Captain: Bernard Gallacher
U.S. Captain: Lanny Wadkins
Best performer(s): Corey Pavin, 4 points out of a possible 5

1993

Payne Stewart celebrates with a magnum of champagne after the U.S. defeated Europe in the 1993 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Associated Press)

Location: The Belfry, England
Winner: United States, 15–13
Europe Captain: Bernard Gallacher
U.S. Captain: Tom Watson
Best performer(s): Ian Woosnam, 4½ points out of a possible 5

1991

The U.S. team poses with the Ryder Cup trophy after their 1991 “War on the Shore” win at Kiawah Island, S.C., to end an eight-year victory drought in the event.

Location: Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
Winner: United States, 14½–13½
Europe Captain: Bernard Gallacher
U.S. Captain: Dave Stockton
Best performer(s): Seve Ballesteros, 4½ points out of a possible 5

1989

Spanish golfers Severiano Ballesteros (left) and Jose Maria Olazabal shaking hands during a Ryder Cup match at The Belfry, Warwickshire, 24th September 1989. The competition ended in a draw with the European team retaining the Cup. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Getty Images)

Location: The Belfry, England
Winner: Tied, 14-14, Europe retains
Europe Captain: Tony Jacklin
U.S. Captain: Raymond Floyd
Best performer(s): Jose Maria Olazábal, 4½ points out of a possible 5

1987

Seve Ballesteros, left, and captain Tony Jacklin celebrate as Europe marched toward its first Ryder Cup win on U.S. soil in 1987 at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

Location: Muirfield Village, Ohio
Winner: Europe, 15–13
Europe Captain: Tony Jacklin
U.S. Captain: Jack Nicklaus
Best performer(s): Seve Ballesteros, 4 points out of a possible 5

1985

Tony Jacklin, Captain of Europe with team members Manuel Pinero, Ian Woosnam, Paul Way, Severiano Ballesteros, Sandy Lyle, Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance, Howard Clark, Jose Rivero, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Canizares and Ken Brown celebrate winning the 26th Ryder Cup at the Brabazon Course of The Belfry in Wishaw, Warwickshire, England.

Location: The Belfry, England
Winner: Europe 16½–11½
Europe Captain: Tony Jacklin
U.S. Captain: Lee Trevino
Best performer(s): Manuel Piñero, 4 points out of a possible 5

1983

The U.S. team celebrates its 1983 Ryder Cup win in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. — the closest Ryder Cup in years, after which the Americans would not win again till 1991. The players include from center-left top, Ray Floyd, Curtis Strange and Lanny Wadkins, with captain Jack Nicklaus.

Location: PGA National Golf Club, Florida
Winner: United States, 14½–13½
Europe Captain: Tony Jacklin
U.S. Captain: Jack Nicklaus
Best performer(s): Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, 4 points out of a possible  5

1981

Dave Marr, Lee Trevino, Tom Kite, Bill Rogers, Larry Nelson, Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Lietzke, Jerry Pate, Hale Irwin, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Raymond Floyd and Jack Nicklaus of the United States team with the Ryder Cup trophy during the 24th Ryder Cup Matches on 27 September 1981 at Walton Heath Golf Club in Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey, England, 1981. (Photo by photographer Bob Martin/Getty Images)

Location: Walton Heath Golf Club, England
Winner: United States, 18½–9½
Europe Captain: John Jacobs
U.S. Captain: Dave Marr
Best performer(s): Larry Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino, 4 points out of a possible 4

1979

John Jacobs, captain of the European team with Bernard Gallacher, Severiano Ballesteros, Tony Jacklin, Antonio Garrido, Michael King, Brian Barnes, Nick Faldo, Des Smyth, Peter Oosterhuis, Ken Brown, Sandy Lyle, Mark James at the 23rd Ryder Cup Matches on 14 September 1979 at the The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA. (Photo by Getty Images)

Location: The Greenbrier, West Virginia
Winner: United States, 17–11
U.S. Captain: Billy Casper
Europe Captain: John Jacobs
Best performer(s): Larry Nelson, 5 points out of a possible 5