Significant moments in the history of the Ryder Cup, one of the game’s most riveting spectacles

Founded on the principles of goodwill and prestige rather than prize money, the Ryder Cup has matched the best male professional golfers from the United States against those in Great Britain and Ireland, then later all of Europe, for the past nine decades. Ahead of the matches at Whistling Straits, we look back at some of the Ryder Cup’s most significant moments since the inaugural meeting in 1927 at Worcester Country Club, then played over two days in early June.

Overall, the United States leads in the series with 26 wins against 14 defeats, and two matches have ended in ties.

While the U.S. won seven consecutive Ryder Cups between 1935-55, and captured 12 and tied one between 1959-83, Europe has dominated the past two decades. The Europeans have claimed seven of the last nine and nine of the last 12. Europe enjoyed its largest margin of victory, nine points, in 2004, then matched that in 2006.

Here’s a closer look at some of the more memorable matches.