The Ryder Cup: A history in pictures

We've selected one iconic image from each of the last 12 Ryder Cup matches from 1989 at The Belfry to 2012 at Medinah.

2006: An emotional Ryder Cup which saw Darren Clarke, playing just shortly after his wife passed away, win 3 points to help lead Europe to victory at The K Club.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

We've selected one iconic image from each of the last 12 Ryder Cup matches from 1989 at The Belfry to 2012 at Medinah

2010: Graeme McDowell was Europe's hero at Celtic Manor, winning the decisive singles match against Hunter Mahan on the 17th.

2010: Graeme McDowell was Europe's hero at Celtic Manor, winning the decisive singles match against Hunter Mahan to clinch the cup.

 

2008: A fired up USA side won convincingly at Valhalla in 2008, ending a streak of 3 successive victories for Europe.

2008: A fired up USA side won convincingly at Valhalla in 2008, ending a streak of 3 successive victories for Europe.

 

2006: An emotional Ryder Cup which saw Darren Clarke, playing just shortly after his wife passed away, win 3 points to help lead Europe to victory at The K Club.

2006: An emotional Ryder Cup which saw Darren Clarke, playing just shortly after his wife passed away, win 3 points to help lead Europe to victory at The K Club.

 

2004: It was only fitting that Colin Montgomerie holed the winning putt in 2004, when Europe beat the USA by the largest margin of victory since 1981.

2004: It was only fitting that Colin Montgomerie holed the winning putt in 2004, when Europe beat the USA by the largest margin of victory since 1981.

 

2002: This years captain Paul McGinley dramatically holed the winning putt for Europe on the 18th green at The Belfry back in 2002.

2002: This years captain Paul McGinley dramatically holed the winning putt for Europe on the 18th green at The Belfry back in 2002.

 

1999: The "Battle at Brookline" was one of the most controversial Ryder Cup's in history, with the US winning narrowly 14.5-13.5.

1999: The "Battle at Brookline" was one of the most controversial Ryder Cup's in history, with the US winning narrowly 14.5-13.5.

 

1997: The late Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to victory in his home nation of Spain at Valderrama in 1997.

1997: The late Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to victory in his home nation of Spain at Valderrama in 1997.

 

1995: Unheralded Irish rookie Philip Walton sealed victory for Europe by beating Jay Haas 1up at Oak Hill.

1995: Unheralded Irish rookie Philip Walton sealed victory for Europe by beating Jay Haas 1up at Oak Hill.

 

1993: Davis Love III secured victory for the US at The Belfry, beating Constantino Rocca on the 18th green on Sunday.

1993: Davis Love III secured victory for the US at The Belfry, beating Constantino Rocca on the 18th green on Sunday.

 

1991: Bernard Langer's short missed putt on the 18th green in 1991's "War on the Shore" meant the US prevailed by just a single point.

1991: Bernard Langer's short missed putt on the 18th green in 1991's "War on the Shore" meant the US prevailed by just a single point.

 

1989: The formidable partnership of Ballesteros and Olazabal was unbeaten at The Belfry in 1989 as Europe retained the cup.

1989: The formidable partnership of Ballesteros and Olazabal was unbeaten at The Belfry in 1989 as Europe retained the cup.

Thomas Patrick Clarke
Sports Digital Editor

Tom Clarke joined Golf Monthly as a sub editor in 2009 being promoted to content editor in 2012 and then senior content editor in 2014, before becoming Sports Digital Editor for the Sport Vertical within Future in 2022. Tom currently looks after all the digital products that Golf Monthly produce including Strategy and Content Planning for the website and social media - Tom also assists the Cycling, Football, Rugby and Marine titles at Future. Tom plays off 16 and lists Augusta National (name drop), Old Head and Le Touessrok as the favourite courses he has played. Tom is an avid viewer of all golf content with a particularly in depth knowledge of the pro tour.