Ryder Cup: Europe on the Brink of Record-Breaking Victory
Rome, Italy – Europe is poised to perhaps achieve the largest margin of victory in Ryder Cup history during Sunday’s singles matches, needing a strong performance to surpass existing records. While the current competition format limits the maximum possible win to 16.5 points, a dominant showing could rewrite the Ryder Cup record books.
The ryder Cup’s scoring landscape has evolved over time. Prior to 1979, when Continental Europe joined Great Britain & Ireland, a larger number of matches - 32 across two sunday sessions with players competing twice – allowed for a maximum of 32 points. This resulted in the all-time record victory of 23-8 (a 15-point margin) by the United States against great Britain at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, in 1967. Since 1979, with 12 singles matches and players competing only once, the maximum possible score is 28 points. The largest margin of victory since then was the United States’ 19-9 win (a 10-point margin) at Whistling Straits in 2021.
To break the overall record, Europe needs to win 11 of the 12 singles matches on Sunday. However, even winning fewer than 11, combined with halved matches, could still be enough to surpass the 15-point margin set in 1967. europe’s largest victory under the current format is a nine-point win, achieved at Oakland Hills in 2004 and The K Club in 2006, both ending with a score of 18-9.
The largest away win remains an 18-9 victory, accomplished by the US team at Walton Heath in 1981 and matched by Europe at Oakland Hills in 2004. The United States holds the record for most points won overall with 23 in 1967, while their 19 points in 2021 represent the highest total as the competition expanded in 1979.
This analysis is brought to you by BBC Sport’s Ask Me anything team.
