The most effective Ryder Cup gamers of all time

Most likely not a family identify to the informal golf followers. That is possible not the case for individuals who thought of themselves die-hards. Anyway, this is a historical past lesson. Demaret, the three-time Masters champion was a part of three American-winning Ryder Cup groups in 1947, ’49, and ’51. If that wasn’t spectacular sufficient, Demaret posted an immaculate 6-0-0 general document, splitting these victories between Singles and Foursome matches.

Misplaced within the collective mass of fellow American golfer giants, Irwin out collectively fairly the Ryder Cup resume. With a 13-5-2 general document and 14 factors (Tenth-best by an American) within the occasion, Irwin has posted top-of-the-line Ryder Cup factors percentages at 70.0. Maybe extra importantly, in 5 appearances (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1991) on the US Ryder Cup workforce, the three-time main winner by no means misplaced a title. 

The venerable Oosterhuis performed in six Ryder Cups from 1971-’81, competing in 28 matches and posting a 14-11-3 document. Whereas the Englishman’s 15 1/2 factors are among the many most in European Ryder Cup historical past, Oosterhuis is well known for his success within the Singles competitors. His six Singles victories are tied for essentially the most amongst European golfers, and he solely dropped two of the 9 such matches he performed within the occasion.

The primary of Spain’s two legendary golfers we’ll showcase on this checklist. Olazabal was a Ryder Cup participant seven occasions (1987-’06) and served as captain in 2012. He competed in 31 matches and is one in every of seven European golfers to document not less than 20 factors (20 1/2) for a profession. Olazabal’s 18-8-5 is properly worthy of celebrating, and his 9 wins in Fourball matches rank second within the historical past of Group Europe. 

The Corridor-of-Famer Littler is an everyday presence in the case of rating among the many leaders in U.S. Ryder Cup historical past. He performed in seven Ryder Cups from 1961-’75 (successful six), and his 18 factors are seventh-most amongst all American individuals, whereas his 6 1/2 Singles factors earned ranked fourth all-time. Littler, the 1961 U.S. Open champion, concluded his Ryder Cup profession with a strong 14-5-8 general document.

From 1937-’59, the nice Sam Snead appeared in seven Ryder Cups. His American squad gained all seven of these occasions, with Snead serving as player-captain in each 1951 and ’59. The seven-time main champion, who posted a 10-2-1 general document in Ryder Cup play — with six coming in Singles matches, additionally captained the 1969 U.S. workforce, which tied Group Europe in that specific occasion.

The regular Kite gained only one main (1992 U.S. Open) throughout his strong PGA Tour profession, however appeared within the Ryder Cup seven occasions as a participant (4 victories, three ties) from 1979-’93, and as soon as as a victorious captain in 1997. And, Kite definitely got here able to play, rating seventh in U.S. historical past with 15 general victories, together with a powerful 5-0-2 mark in Singles play. His 17 general Ryder Cup factors additionally rank seventh all-time.

The legendary Golden Bear has naturally been an element throughout the realm of the Ryder Cup, however maybe not as prolific as one would possibly assume contemplating he is gained a document 18 main titles. Nicklaus performed in six Ryder Cups from 1969-’81 (successful 5 occasions), competed in 28 matches, and earned 18 1/2 factors — the latter sits seventh amongst American golfers. His 17 general wins are tied for fifth. Nicklaus additionally captained two U.S. groups (1983, ’87).

One of many greats of all time, the late Ballesteros, a five-time main champion, left an indelible mark on European Ryder Cup historical past. The beloved Spaniard was a part of eight Ryder Cup groups as a participant and captained Group Europe in 2005 and ’07. He ranks among the many European leaders in Ryder Cup matches performed (37), factors (22 1/2), and victories (20). Ballesteros and aforementioned fellow countryman Jose Maria Olazabal have been paired collectively (15) greater than every other Ryder Cup individuals — totaling 12 factors with an 11-2-2 document.

The good Lee Trevino’s Ryder Cup resume is relatively much like that of his buddy Jack Nicklaus. Just like the Golden Bear, Trevino performed within the Ryder Cup six occasions from 1969-’81 and posted 17 general victories. Trevino, in the meantime, is one in every of simply eight American golfers to play in 30 or extra Ryder Cup matches and ranks fifth in U.S. historical past with 20 factors amassed through the prestigious occasion. The six-time main winner was additionally captain in 1985. 

Westwood could go down as the perfect golfer by no means to win a serious, however the Ryder Cup will definitely be a spotlight inside his general stellar golf legacy. He is set to make his eleventh Ryder Cup look (1997-2021, with seven victories), which might tie Westwood for essentially the most European golfers. In the meantime, his 44 matches performed ranked second within the historical past of Group Europe and his 23 factors are fifth all-time. He is additionally one in every of six European golfers to win not less than 20 Ryder Cup matches

No golfer — whether or not American or European — within the historical past of the Ryder Cup has made extra appearances within the occasion than Mickelson’s 12. Although Lefty’s Ryder enjoying days look like completed, his legacy will all the time be celebrated. His 47 matches performed are additionally a Ryder Cup document. Whereas Mickelson has an 18-22-17 general mark, his 21 1/2 factors are tied for third amongst American golfers and he ranks fourth in wins. 

Langer’s 10 Ryder Cup appearances make him one in every of 5 golfers — from the U.S. or Europe — to document not less than that many within the historical past of the occasion. Six of these groups both gained or retained the Cup, whereas Langer additionally captained the 2004 European squad to victory. Throughout the historical past of Group Europe, Langer’s 42 Ryder Cup matches, 24 factors, and 21 victories all rank third. Making him some of the profitable golfers within the general historical past of the Ryder Cup.  

A 21-time winner on the PGA Tour and victorious within the 1977 PGA Championship, Wadkins loved a stellar Corridor-of-Fame profession. Nonetheless, essentially the most lasting side of Wadkins’ legacy may be his general Ryder Cup physique of labor. His eight Ryder Cup appearances (1977-’93) are tied for third amongst American golfers, and his 34 matches performed are tied for fourth. Wadkins’ 20 victories are tied for second within the U.S., whereas his 21 1/2 factors are tied with Mickelson for third. Wadkins, a five-time Ryder Cup winner, additionally captained the 1995 U.S. squad.

From 1991-2006, “Monty” made eight Ryder Cup appearances and was one of many extra formidable golfers within the historical past of the occasion. The Scotsman gained 5 of these tournaments as a participant and guided Europe to the 2010 Cup as captain. Montgomerie’s 23 1/2 factors ranked fourth all-time in European Ryder Cup historical past, and his 20 wins are tied for a similar spot. Nonetheless, what really units Montgomerie other than the remaining is his stellar 6-0-2 mark in Singles’ play.

Sure, Arnold Palmer has completed every thing a golfer can want — seven main championships, 62 profession PGA Tour wins, four-time Tour cash winner, and PGA Participant of the 12 months in 1960 and ’62. Then there’s the Ryder Cup, which is a chapter in itself for Palmer. He made six Ryder Cup groups, however his 32 matches rank sixth for the U.S. and his 23 factors are second. Lastly, Palmer’s 22 victories are essentially the most by any American in Ryder Cup historical past and 9 in Foursome matches equal Lanny Wadkins for essentially the most all-time by a U.S. golfer. 

If there is a golfer made for the spirit and competitiveness of the Ryder Cup, it is Poulter. “The Postman” is slated to make his seventh Ryder Cup (2004-2021) look, with him and his European teammates victorious on 5 events. The normally exuberant Poulter’s best-known Ryder Cup second possible got here in 2018, when he beat then-world-No. 1-ranked Dustin Johnson in Singles play to assist Group Europe hoist the Cup. For his profession, Poulter has collected 15 factors from 22 matches and is a powerful 5-0-1 within the Singles competitors.

From 1961-’75, Casper performed on eight Ryder Cup groups. Every of these U.S. groups hoisted the Cup, and Casper additionally guided the 1979 U.S. squad to victory. Within the annals of U.S. Ryder Cup historical past, Casper leads the way in which with 23 1/2 factors and tied for second with 37 matches performed and in addition sharing second (alongside Lanny Wadkins) with 20 general wins. Casper’s six Singles are additionally tied for essentially the most by an American. 

Sergio could have that one main title underneath his belt, however in the case of Ryder Cup greats, he is just about legendary. The favored Spaniard remains to be the youngest golfer from both workforce to debut within the Ryder Cup — 19 years, 258 days through the 1999 occasion. He is additionally the occasion’s all-time chief with 25 1/2 factors. Garcia, about to make his Tenth Ryder Cup look, has been a part of six successful groups. He additionally ranks among the many European leaders in matches (41) and general victories (23)

Solely Phil Mickelson has made extra Ryder Cup appearances than Faldo’s 11. These got here from 1977-’97. Now, Faldo, the six-time main winner, hoisted the Cup in solely 5 of these years and didn’t win when he captained Group Europe in 2008. That stated, on the person entrance, Faldo’s 46 matches performed are essentially the most of any European, and his 25 factors path solely Sergio Garcia, Faldo’s 23 victories are nonetheless essentially the most amongst any European golfer.