Memorable European Wins In The Ryder Cup

The 42^nd Ryder cup tees off in France’s capital golf course Le Golf National, Paris Friday, with Europe looking to make it four wins out of five.

The Major Championships are great and everything, but seeing European pedigree play off against the best our transatlantic cousins have to offer always gets golf fans on either side of the pond psyched. The Yanks won last time out on the rich home soil of Hazeltine National in Minnesota; but the Americans rarely win without home advantage.

To get ourselves hyped for this years Ryder Cup, we took a look at some of the recent European Ryder cup wins of recent years:

1. Gleneagles, 2014

The US were once by far the most dominant force. In fact, it wasn’t until the Great Britain team was expanded to accommodate the rest of Europe, that the American’s tight grip on the Ryder cup began to lose strength. In Gleneagles, 2014, Europe secured a relatively comfortable five-point victory in the emerald roll of  Scottish hills to secure their third straight win and an eighth triumph from the past ten tournaments.

Europe were helped to a win by 38-year-old Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson. Bombing out Keegan Bradley 4 & 3 after a stunning wedge shot approaching the 15^th green, settling a few feet from the hole cornered the US into conceding and secured Europe’s victory.

2. Medinah, 2012

The US are formidable on home soil, but luckily for Europe, Ian Poulter didn’t care. He fist-pumped his way around the Medinah course, inspiring the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history. Europe trailed 10-4 after Saturday’s afternoon four-balls were completed. In the final game of the day, Poulter, partnered with Rory McIlroy, had looked out of it, sitting two holes down to Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson with six to play.

Poulter managed to zone out the American crowd and birdie his last five holes, concluding a stunning solo performance with a match winning 10ft putt at the 18^th. Poulter’s performance put life into the European team, who dominated the final Sunday, taking 8 ½ points from the 12 singles matches to retain the Ryder Cup.