The Ryder Cup is a biennial men’s golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. It is one of the most prestigious events in golf, with a rich history stretching back to 1927. But over the many years and editions of the Ryder Cup, some countries have seen more success than others.
The United States leads the overall cup count
Looking at the total number of Ryder Cups won over the history of the event, the United States team has come out on top 26 times compared to Europe’s 14 wins. There has also been 1 tie.
The dominance of the US team is largely thanks to their performance in the early decades of the competition. From 1927 through to 1983, the US lost the cup only twice. Their period of dominance included winning the trophy eight times in a row from 1935 to 1983.
Europe’s tally has mostly been achieved since 1985 when the team format was expanded from just Great Britain and Ireland to include the whole of continental Europe. Since then, Europe has won 11 times compared to 8 American wins.
The USA won the early editions
In the first five Ryder Cups from 1927 to 1937, the United States were utterly dominant.
The inaugural competition at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts saw Team USA whitewash Great Britain 91⁄2 to 21⁄2. It was a similar story in 1929 as the Americans won in Moortown by the same score.
The US continued their dominance in the next three cups, winning convincingly in 1931, 1933 and 1935.
Results of the first 5 Ryder Cups:
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | USA | 9.5 – 2.5 |
| 1929 | USA | 9.5 – 2.5 |
| 1931 | USA | 9 – 3 |
| 1933 | USA | 5.5 – 2.5 |
| 1935 | USA | 9 – 3 |
The sole British victory during this early period came in 1957 at Lindrick Golf Club. However, normal US dominance was soon resumed with another whitewash victory in 1935.
The post-War years saw American dominance continue
After the Ryder Cup was suspended during World War II, the US continued their winning streak when the competition resumed in 1947. The 1947 Cup held at Portland Golf Club saw the USA storm to another convincing win by 11-1.
The Americans retained the trophy in 1949, 1951, 1953 and 1955. This period saw the introduction of golfing legends such as Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson to the US Ryder Cup team.
Great Britain did manage to win the 1957 Cup at Lindrick Golf Club by a score of 7.5 to 4.5. But it marked the sole British victory between 1933 and 1985.
Ryder Cup results from 1947 to 1959:
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1947 | USA | 11 – 1 |
| 1949 | USA | 7 – 5 |
| 1951 | USA | 9.5 – 2.5 |
| 1953 | USA | 6.5 – 5.5 |
| 1955 | USA | 8 – 4 |
| 1957 | Great Britain | 7.5 – 4.5 |
| 1959 | USA | 8.5 – 3.5 |
The 1959 competition saw the USA regain the trophy at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. They won by 8.5 points to 3.5.
The 1960s saw Britain’s frustrations continue
Great Britain’s Ryder Cup frustrations continued into the 1960s. Between 1961 and 1977, they managed just one victory against the dominant Americans.
The 1961 cup held at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club marked a continuation of US supremacy. The team featuring Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead swatted aside Britain by 14.5 points to 9.5.
The 1963 event saw Jack Nicklaus make his Ryder Cup debut. He and the US team emerged triumphant by 23-9, a dominating winning margin.
Britain finally tasted victory again in 1965 at Royal Birkdale. This was a tight contest that saw the hosts eke out a narrow 91⁄2 to 81⁄2 victory.
Normal US service was swiftly resumed in 1967 and 1971. They won comprehensively on both occasions, by 23.5 to 8.5 in 1967, and by 18.5 to 13.5 four years later.
Ryder Cup results from 1961 to 1971:
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | USA | 14.5 – 9.5 |
| 1963 | USA | 23 – 9 |
| 1965 | Great Britain | 9.5 – 8.5 |
| 1967 | USA | 23.5 – 8.5 |
| 1969 | Tie | 16 – 16 |
| 1971 | USA | 18.5 – 13.5 |
1969 marked a low point for Britain as the USA raced into a big lead before the contest at Royal Birkdale was halved at 16-16. It marked the only tied match in Ryder Cup history.
The United States continued to prosper in the 1970s and early 80s
The 1970s and early 1980s marked a period of total domination for the United States team. Between 1973 and 1983, they won every single edition of the Ryder Cup.
The 1973 cup held at Muirfield saw Jack Nicklaus star for the USA again. He contributed 5 points as the US romped to victory by 19-13.
The Americans edged a tight contest at Laurel Valley in 1975. The stellar cast of Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Tom Weiskopf helping the USA triumph by 21-11.
In 1977, the US edged home once more by 121⁄2 to 71⁄2 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. It marked their 6th consecutive Ryder Cup triumph.
Ryder Cup results from 1973 to 1981:
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | USA | 19 – 13 |
| 1975 | USA | 21 – 11 |
| 1977 | USA | 12.5 – 7.5 |
| 1979 | USA | 17 – 11 |
| 1981 | USA | 18.5 – 9.5 |
The USA’s winning run continued into the early 80s. They won by 17-11 in 1979 at The Greenbrier and then by a massive 18.5 to 9.5 in 1981 at Walton Heath Golf Club.
Europe’s resurgence started in the mid-1980s
After decades of American dominance, European golf received a major boost in 1985 with the inclusion of players from the whole of continental Europe. This marked the start of a European resurgence in the Ryder Cup.
Although the US won the 1985 contest at The Belfry by 161⁄2 to 111⁄2, Europe gave them a real fright by leading after the opening day.
At Muirfield Village in 1987, Europe led again after day 1 before the US rallied to win. But the European team featuring Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo served notice that they could now compete with the USA.
1989 saw Europe finally break their long drought. They edged the contest at The Belfry 15-13 for their first victory since 1957.
Ryder Cup results from 1985 onwards:
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | USA | 16.5 – 11.5 |
| 1987 | USA | 15 – 13 |
| 1989 | Europe | 15 – 13 |
| 1991 | USA | 14.5 – 13.5 |
| 1993 | USA | 15 – 13 |
| 1995 | Europe | 14.5 – 13.5 |
| 1997 | Europe | 14.5 – 13.5 |
| 1999 | USA | 14.5 – 13.5 |
| 2002 | Europe | 15.5 – 12.5 |
| 2004 | Europe | 18.5 – 9.5 |
| 2006 | Europe | 18.5 – 9.5 |
| 2008 | USA | 16.5 – 11.5 |
| 2010 | Europe | 14.5 – 13.5 |
| 2012 | Europe | 14.5 – 13.5 |
| 2014 | Europe | 16.5 – 11.5 |
| 2016 | USA | 17 – 11 |
| 2018 | Europe | 17.5 – 10.5 |
| 2021 | USA | 19 – 9 |
The contests of the modern era have been much more competitive. Although the US won in 1991, 1993 and 1999, Europe claimed victories in 1995, 1997 and 2002.
Europe then enjoyed an unprecedented period of dominance. They won 5 editions in a row from 2004 to 2014 under the captaincies of Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie (twice) and Paul McGinley.
The USA halted Europe’s run with wins in 2016 and 2021 but were beaten comprehensively in 2018 at Le Golf National.
Conclusion
The United States clearly leads the way with 26 Ryder Cup wins compared to 14 for Europe. Their period of dominance stretches from the very beginning of the competition right up until the mid-1980s.
Since 1985, when Europe was strengthened by the inclusion of continental players, the Ryder Cup has been much more competitive. Europe has won 11 times compared to 8 American victories.
But in terms of total cups won, the USA remains the most successful Ryder Cup nation in history. Their proud record stands at 26 victories from a total of 42 contests played.
