History

The History of the Ryder Cup

From a friendly transatlantic match in the 1920s to the most intense team event in golf — the story of how the Ryder Cup became what it is.

The Ryder Cup is one of sport's great slow-burning rivalries, and its history explains why it feels so different from ordinary golf. What began as a genial exhibition between two nations grew, over a century, into a contest so charged that players who spend the rest of the year as friends and rivals suddenly play as if their lives depend on it. Here's how that transformation happened.

The beginnings

The match takes its name from Samuel Ryder, an English businessman who made his fortune selling seeds and fell in love with golf later in life. He donated the gold trophy that still bears his name, and the first official matches in the 1920s pitted the United States against Great Britain. It was, in those early decades, a fairly one-sided affair, and often a gentlemanly one.

The American era

For much of the twentieth century, the United States dominated. Their pool of talent was simply deeper, and Great Britain — even later joined by Ireland — struggled to compete on a level footing. By the 1970s the match was in danger of losing its meaning, because everyone knew who would win before a ball was struck. Something had to change.

The European transformation

The turning point came in the late 1970s, when the team was widened to take in players from continental Europe. It was a deliberate move to make the contest competitive again — and it worked beyond anyone's hopes. A generation of European talent, led spiritually by Seve Ballesteros and organised by captains like Tony Jacklin, turned the tables. Europe began winning, the matches became genuinely unpredictable, and the crowds grew fervent. The modern Ryder Cup — nervy, emotional, occasionally spiky — was born.

The modern rivalry

Since then the trophy has swung back and forth across the Atlantic, with home advantage proving a powerful and consistent force. The event has given golf some of its most unforgettable days — the Miracle at Medinah and the Battle of Brookline among them — and turned team golf, once an afterthought, into the sport's most-watched spectacle. In 2027 it returns to Ireland at Adare Manor, and the story continues.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Ryder Cup start?

The Ryder Cup began in the 1920s as a match between the United States and Great Britain, named after the businessman Samuel Ryder, who donated the trophy. It has been played every two years since, apart from breaks around the Second World War and a one-year shift after 2001.

Why did the Ryder Cup become Europe versus the USA?

For decades the match was USA versus Great Britain (later Great Britain & Ireland), and the Americans dominated. To make it competitive, the European team was expanded in the late 1970s to include players from continental Europe — a change that transformed the event into the fierce, closely-fought contest it is today.

How often is the Ryder Cup played?

Every two years, alternating between American and European host venues. The 2027 match is scheduled for Adare Manor in Ireland — see our full preview.

Related: venues, records, greatest captains, and the format explained.

Drive for Five is an independent, unofficial fan project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Ryder Cup, the PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe, the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, or any player, team or organisation mentioned. All ratings are subjective interpretations created for the game.