The 43rd Ryder Cup is held next week, 26-26 September
Europe won its first title in 1985, the US still leads with 26 wins
Jack Nicklaus’s generous gesture resulted the first tied result in 1969
One of the biggest events in golf, the Ryder Cup is held next weekend, 24-26 September at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin. A great race is expected again between the US and European teams, just like in the previous events. One of the most exciting tournaments was held in 2012 when Ian Poulter produced an amazing performance that belongs to the top 5 Ryder Cup moments. Let’s see all the other memorable events in the tournament’s history.
The first competition between American and British golfers was held in 1921 with 10 players in each team. Great Britain won the International Match at Gleneagles which was followed by a similar event in 1926. The first organized tournament was held next year at Worcester which became the first official Ryder Cup. The involvement of other European players was another big step in the cup’s history which happened in 1979. Since then the European team has been winning most of the time but Team US still leads in the overall standing with 26 wins. In the long history of the tournament, fans could witness several great moments, let’s see the most memorable ones.
1. The Concession Leads the Top 5 Ryder Cup Moments
In 1969 fans could watch one of the tightest Ryder Cups. As the teams were tied at 15 and a half points with only one match being left to play. Jack Nicklaus and the current US Open champion Tony Jacklin were playing against each other. Nicklaus was leading and could have won the match for the US. But instead, he picked up the British player’s marker before his last shot and offered a share of the point to his opponent. It also meant that the match was tied between the two teams for the first time in the cup’s history. The US team still kept the trophy though and will aim to get it again next week in the 2021 Ryder Cup. Online sportsbooks in the US favor their team for the win now. You can read more about this year’s odds in our preview here.
2. The Miracle at Medinah
The European team produced one of the greatest comebacks in 2012 at the 39th Ryder Cup, held at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois. They were down 10-4 after 14 matches. But on the last day, Europe won 8 and a half points out of the maximum 12 to turn around the result and win the cup. For this remarkable result, they needed a stunning performance from Ian Poulter. The two-time world championship winner made five birdies on his final five holes on Saturday alongside Rory McIlroy. Inspiring his teammates on the following day for similar top results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vda7_rWZQmU
German Martin Kaymer secured the victory on the last day against Seve Strickier in one of the top 5 Ryder Cup moments. Poulter will be a member of the European team again next week just like McIlroy who won his first PGA Tour event this May after two years.
3. Battle of Brookline
The American team has also produced a similar comeback in 1999, also on home soil, at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. On this occasion, Europe was leading 10-6 ahead of the final day. But the US was playing better on the last day. The 1997 Open Championship winner Justin Leonard was playing the last game against Jose Maria Olazabal. They were square on the 17th hole when the American hit a birdie. Everyone started to celebrate the US victory invading the course. Even though the Spanish player could still hole his putt and win the next hole. Eventually, he missed it which wasn’t surprising after such an intermezzo. The European players were not happy at all after the incident which happened in one of the most heated Ryder Cups.
4. The Tightest Finish in Kiawah Island
The relationship between the two teams was very intense in 1991 as well, especially between Seve Ballesteros and Paul Azinger. They already had a feud in the previous cup in 1989, which was still going on two years later. The American crowd had been waiting for an American win since 1983 which made the whole atmosphere even tenser. The competition was very tight so everyone was waiting for the last game's result.
Bernhard Langer: German professional golfer Picture Source: Wikimedia
When German Bernhard Langer and US golfer Hale Irwin were playing against each other. Langer was well-known for his calm and keeping his nerves even in crucial moments. But he missed his short-range putt on the 18th green. It meant the victory for the US team after eight years. Langer fought back though and won the Masters in the following year.
5. First Victory For Europe at The Belfry
Going back even further to the 26th Ryder Cup, we find another memorable event. The competition was held in the UK, at The Belfry. Where finally the European team got its first win. Great Britain got the victory in 1957, but they couldn’t break their rival’s winning streak after that. With the involvement of other European players, they were getting closer. But European fans had to wait until 1985 to finally get the trophy. Scottish Sam Torrance holed the winning putt with a birdie. What's more, he carried the team captain, Tony Jacklin on his shoulders after. We should see if Europe can defend their title next week with online gambling sites in the US offering the odds of +165.00 for their victory. Why not visit BetOnline and be aware of the current golf betting?
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