🔗 Share this article

Claiming an overseas Ryder Cup is considered one of the biggest accomplishments in golf, as noted professional golfer Rory McIlroy. No squad possesses a notable performance abroad. From the time Europe entered the competition in 1979, the USA has only won two victories on their travels, with their most recent road triumph coming in 1993. The European team’s sole win on US territory in the past twenty years took place at Medinah, a win that required nothing short of an incredible comeback.

Prelude to the Event: A Team Battling Challenges

Of Europe’s 4 away wins – achieved in 2004, 1987, 2012 and 1995 – their shock victory at Oak Hill 30 years ago stands as a personal favourite for golf enthusiasts. Things were far from rosy for captain Bernard Gallacher’s team as they headed to Oak Hill in 1995: Gallacher was stung after two defeats; some expressed gripes about his team selection; one star player was withdrawn due to a physical issue; and several members were not at their best.

Tight setbacks in 1991 and 1993 had affected Gallacher, who stepped down from the position of captain and was persuaded to return because of a letter from veteran Bernhard Langer, a discussion with legend Seve Ballesteros and a open request from Faldo. I was convinced for all the right reasons,” he stated. “The bottom line, the team is confident that we can win.”

Skipper’s Calls: Tough Picks

The captain initially had to choose his team and, with a mere two wildcard selections, he faced the tough job of excluding two from Faldo, Olazábal, Woosnam and Parnevik. “He’s in a bind,” Ian Woosnam stated. “But he’ll get no support from me. He pushed for this method and we could end up lacking all our best players.”

Gallacher pointed out that the players only had themselves to blame. “Each player has known after 1993 exactly how to qualify for the team,” he commented before selecting Faldo and Olazábal. However Woosnam qualified eventually, replacing Olazábal after he was forced out with a injured foot. Without the Spaniard was a big loss, but Woosnam had secured several points at the last Ryder Cup and had been a finalist at Oak Hill in the 1989 US Open.

The USA team was talented but had a potential flaw. A line-up including five first-timers – Lehman, Mickelson, Maggert, Roberts and Faxon – was a worry, prompting skipper Lanny Wadkins to select the seasoned twosome of Strange and Couples. This meant no place for Open winner Daly as the course was not deemed fitting for his style of play. The captain’s choice to opt for Curtis Strange over the Players Championship winner Janzen was a surprise at the time and proved unwise by the conclusion of the competition.

Friday Action: USA Build a 5-3 Lead

Reports that Seve Ballesteros would be sitting out the alternate shot round drew attention, but there was no possibility Bernard Gallacher could use the Ballesteros in the alternate shot format due to his poor form. The responsibility of striking the pressure-filled first tee shot would rest on Colin Montgomerie’s shoulders, but his usually solid partnership with Faldo failed to fire. Down four after the first five, the team fought to recover into their match against Lehman and Pavin, but two poor shots from Faldo on the final hole handed the win to the Americans.

James and Clark played poorly in a 4&3 defeat to Maggert and Love, but the new duo of Rocca and Torrance put Europe’s opening win on the board. The focus moved to the concluding alternate shot contest. Bernhard Langer and Per Ulrik-Johansson were leading comfortably at plus three with six to play. But Strange and Crenshaw mounted a comeback, leaving Langer with a short putt on the 18th to take the game. Luckily for the visitors, there would be no recurrence of Kiawah in 1991; Langer’s crucial shot brought Europe level: 2-2 after the opening round.

Day Two Drama: The Visitors Fight Back

Behind 5-3 overnight, Europe needed a major effort in the morning foursomes and they successfully responded. The Faldo-Montgomerie duo claimed their maiden point; Langer and Gilford paired up to defeat Pavin and Lehman; and Rocca and Torrance dominated Love and Maggert by a large margin. “He provided stability of Italy,” Torrance said of his teammate, whose perfect shot at the 6th hole was part of a ideal session for Europe. The only defeat came when Woosnam paired with Walton lost to Jacobsen and Roberts. But, with the team tally at 6-6, European fans were overjoyed.

However, the afternoon fourballs did not go according to plan, with Europe falling 8-7 behind before the decisive final game. As they reached the final green, The Langer-Faldo pair were level with Pavin alongside Roberts. Loren Roberts secured a standard score, ensuring the US would at least halve the hole. They could win outright if Pavin holed out from just off the green. As fate would have it he pulled it off, his ball ignoring pace and gravity to reach the cup. All eyes turned to {Faldo|Nick