Gallery: Ryder Cup Winning Moments

A look at winning moments from past Ryder Cups

Jamie Donaldson
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A look at the winning moments from the past 30 years of the Ryder Cup from Sam Torrance's perfect putt at the Belfry in 1985 all the way through to Jamie Donaldson's wonderful wedge at Gleneagles.

Below, we look at the winning moments from the past 30 years of the Ryder Cup, from Sam Torrance's perfect putt at the Belfry in 1985 all the way through to Jamie Donaldson's wonderful wedge at Gleneagles.

Sam Torrance

Sam Torrance celebrates after holing a magical 18-foot putt to defeat Andy North at the Belfry, which condemned the Americans to their first defeat since 1957. (Getty Images)

seve ballesteros

Two years later Seve Ballesteros sank the winning putt at Muirfield Village, Ohio, to confirm the first European success on US soil. (Getty Images)

Jose Maria Canizares

The Ryder Cup returned to the Belfry in 1989 and ended in stalemate for only the second time. Jose Maria Canizares’ point against Ken Green retained the Cup. (Getty Images)

29th Ryder Cup Matches

The War on the Shore at Kiawah Island in 1991 saw the Americans wrestle back the trophy after a bad tempered week. Bernhard Langer’s missed six-footer gave the US victory by a single point. (Getty Images)

Tom Watson Linda Watson

Tom Watson in happier Ryder Cup times at the Belfry in 1993. The American’s last victory in Europe was confirmed when Ray Floyd defeated José María Olazábal. (Getty Images)

Phillip Walton

Europe returned to winning ways in 1995 at Oak Hill Country Club, New York, with Irishman Philip Walton clinching the decisive victory over Jay Haas and immediately being embraced by captain Bernard Gallacher. (Getty Images)

Colin Montgomerie

1997 saw the first staging of the event on mainland Europe at Valderrama in Spain. Colin Montgomerie conceded Scott Hoch’s 15-foot par putt to halve the match and give Europe and captain Seve Ballesteros a one-point victory. (Getty Images)

Justin Leonard

The infamous moment in 1999 when Justin Leonard’s 45-foot birdie putt sparked wild celebrations on the 17th green at Brookline with Jose Maria Olazabal still to putt for a tie. (Getty Images)

Paul McGinley

Another Belfry triumph for Europe in 2002 was sealed when Paul McGinley holed a 10-foot putt to halve his match with Jim Furyk. (Getty Images)

montgomerie

In 2004, Colin Montgomerie’s match was once again decisive at Oakland Hills Country Club, Michigan, when Europe recorded a nine point victory – their largest ever.  Monty, in only the sixth match out, delivered the coup de grace against David Toms. (Getty Images)

henrik stenson

Henrik Stenson celebrates holing his putt on the 15th green to beat Vaughn Taylor and win the Cup for Europe at The K Club in Ireland in 2006. (Getty Images)

Jim Furyk

America’s last victory came in 2008 at Valhalla, Kentucky, and was confirmed when Jim Furyk defeated Miguel Angel Jimenez 2&1. His wife Tabitha was first on the green to congratulate him. (Getty Images)

Hunter Mahan

Graeme McDowell’s birdie putt on the 16th at Celtic Manor in 2010 left Hunter Mahan needing to win the last two holes to deny Europe. Mahan scuffed his second shot on the par three 17th, missed his putt and conceded the match to hand Europe victory. (Getty Images)

Martin Kaymer

The Miracle of Medinah was sealed when Martin Kaymer holed his eight-foot putt and beat Steve Stricker to give Europe 14 points. A Tiger Woods bogey on the final green of the final match gifted Jose Maria Olazabal's side overall victory. (Getty Images)

Jamie Donaldson

Jamie Donaldson confirmed Europe’s latest triumph with what he dubbed the ‘wedge shot of my life’ landing it within inches of the 15th pin. (Getty Images)

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.