The Ryder Cup is considered the biggest event in professional golf and one of the best in all of sport.
The United States dominated the competition for many years, but since Great Britain switched to Europe in 1979, it has become more even.
Ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy has consistently claimed that winning away from home is the toughest achievement in golf.
Europe first did it 38 years ago, when an Irish golfer with an unusual swing came to their rescue in Dublin, Ohio.
- READ MORE: How a teenage Seve Ballesteros stole the show as he finished second at the 1976 Open Championship
Europe’s unlikely hero at the 1987 Ryder Cup
Europe won the 1985 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, 16.5-11.5, to end the United States’ 28-year undefeated streak.
Their momentum then transferred into the 1987 Ryder Cup as they dominated the fourballs and foursomes sessions on Friday and Saturday.
Europe had a 10.5-5.5 lead heading into the Sunday singles and needed just 3.5 points to win their first away Ryder Cup.
However, they won just one of their opening seven matches on Sunday and found themselves in a precarious position.
Seve Ballesteros delivered a much-needed point against Curtis Strange, but Europe needed someone else to step up to the plate.
Well, Irishman Eamonn Darcy volunteered to be Europe’s saviour at Muirfield Village, as he achieved a surprising 1-up victory against Ben Crenshaw.
Darcy never reached the top 50 in the world rankings in his career, so he was never expected to beat a two-time Masters champion.
His win also proved that the aesthetics of golf swings are totally irrelevant; results are the only thing that matters.
Darcy was often mocked for having a “flying right elbow” and a swing path like a “Ferris Wheel,” but that never bothered him, especially when helping Europe win the 1987 Ryder Cup.
How many times have Europe won the Ryder Cup in the United States?
Europe’s victory at the 1987 Ryder Cup at Muirfield Village was their first of four in the United States.
Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, and Seve Ballesteros all played eight years later, too, as Europe won again at Oak Hill in New York.
Europe’s away Ryder Cup wins
| Year | Venue | Score | Top European Scorer |
| 1987 | Muirfield Village | 15-13 | Manuel Pinero |
| 1995 | Oak Hill Country Club | 14.5-13.5 | David Gilford |
| 2004 | Oakland Hills | 18.5-9.5 | Sergio Garcia / Lee Westwood |
| 2012 | Medinah Country Club | 14.5-13.5 | Ian Poulter |
Europe have won two away Ryder Cups in the 21st century: 2004 and 2012. The 2012 event, known as the Miracle at Medinah, may be the most entertaining of all time.
Luke Donald’s team will hope it makes it five times when they take on the USA at Bethpage Black later this month.