Mention the Ryder Cup in 2013 and most people will think of a biennial event dominated by European golfers. Since the turn of the Millennium the multi-national golfers have won five of the six Ryder Cups that have taken place. Indeed, since the UK and Ireland team became Europe in 1979, it reads eight to seven in their favour.
This has not always been the case. When the contest was just between the USA and Britain & Ireland, these isles had a miserable time. In total before Europe swooped in to help, GB&I took just three wins and the USA 18 from the 22 total matches played. It was a complete mismatch, but with the introduction of Europe it surely had to change.
Spain was the first continental nation to take part in the tournament, with Antonio Garrido and none other than Seve Ballesteros the initial players. Even with their help America's dominance continued for the next three iterations, taking them 17 11, 18 1/2 9 1/2, then 14 1/2 13 1/2 in a close one. By 1985 Germany, with Bernhard Langer, had joined in and on this day that year Europe's fortunes were to change. Sam Torrance, pictured here winning in 2002, had a huge say.
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By this point Europe, including when it was just Britain and Ireland, had gone a whole 28 years without winning the tournament. Their last success was in 1957 in Lindrick in Yorkshire at a time when there were only 12 points up for grabs. By 1985 this had changed to its current format of 28 points, which means that 14 1/2 will win it.
Tony Jacklin was Europe's captain and he was no stranger to winning. Although his best years as a player came at the turn of the 70s - he was victorious at the British Open in 1969 and the US Open the following year - he had 28 tour wins to his name. In the Ryder Cup as a player he was involved from 1967 to 1979, which meant that he had never tasted victory over the Americans.
As captain between 1983 and 1989, however, things would change. His first attempt ended with a narrow one-point defeat, but Europe were back better than ever two years later at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield. There were some big performances on key holes, with Ballesteros and then Torrance showing how to deal with the tricky 10th hole.
Despite going down 3-1 on the opening foursomes, Europe dominated from that point on. Ballesteros won 3.5 of the points he played for with Torrance taking two of the four of his. It was Torrance who had the great honour of claiming the win with an 18-foot putt on the final hole putting the match beyond the Americans. It was a moment that swung the Ryder Cup in Europe's favour.
Two years later, Europe also secured their first win on American soil and have won three more since. The introduction of Europe has certainly made it a close contest and the competition continues to be fierce.
Matt Domm
