Winning the Ryder Cup away from home is never easy. Europe has achieved this feat only four times in its history. Rory McIlroy, who became the sixth player to complete the Grand Slam of majors by winning the Masters, now faces another major challenge. For years, McIlroy has claimed that winning the Ryder Cup away from home is the greatest achievement in golf. He knows this well, having been part of the last European team to win this competition 13 years ago, in what became known as the "Miracle at Medinah."
A challenge for Rory McIlroy
“We weren't supposed to win in 2012,” McIlroy said. “Since then, the home team has won convincingly every time.”
The path to victory
The Americans arrived on the heels of a 19-9 victory over Europe in 2021 and arrived in Marco Simone, Italy, hoping to break a 30-year winless streak on the road. Europe started strongly, sweeping the opening session and claiming a five-point victory.
Since Europe's victory in Medinah, the home team has won by five-point margins in Scotland, six in Minnesota, seven in France, ten in Wisconsin, and most recently in Rome.
The triumphs of Europe
Europe has won the Ryder Cup away from home four times in the last 40 years. Here's a look back at how they did it:
Muirfield Village, 1987
Coming off their first win since 1957, Europe faced an American team captained by Jack Nicklaus on the course he built himself. With José María Olazábal as one of the players selected, along with Seve Ballesteros, they achieved a 3-1 record in team play, establishing a five-point lead heading into Sunday's singles matches. Despite a comeback attempt by the Americans, Europe took the victory 15-13, marking the first time the hosts had lost at home since the inception of the Ryder Cup in 1927.
Oak Hill, 1995
After the Americans dominated in 1991 and 1993, Europe showed its grit in Seve Ballesteros' final match. Despite a 9-7 lead for the Americans, Europe won four of five matches on the final day, with Philip Walton securing a 14.5-13.5 victory.
Oakland Hills, 2004
With a resounding 18.5-9.5 victory, this event will be remembered as the first time Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson played together. However, Europe already had a five-point lead after the first day and managed to secure the title before all the matches were completed.
Medinah, 2012
The Americans were on the verge of taking an 11-5 lead, but Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy secured a crucial point that turned the tide. Europe staged one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history, culminating in a 14.5-13.5 victory, while European captain José María Olazábal wore Seve Ballesteros's memory on his shirts.
