Five Classic U.S. Team Memories from the Ryder Cup, Golf’s Most Patriotic Event

One of the Ryder Cup’s best features is that players don’t play for a cent of prize money — instead, it’s all for their country, or countries on the European side. The event oozes with patriotism and national pride; players understand they’re competing for something bigger than themselves.

It’s why, on the Fourth of July, we’re recalling some of the best moments in recent years from the Ryder Cup.

From a dreadful lie on the 17th hole at Whistling Straits, Jordan Spieth pulled off perhaps one of the craziest pitch shots you’ll see during Day 1 of the 2020 Ryder Cup. Luckily he avoided a trip into Lake Michigan, too!

Before 2016 at Hazeltine, the last time the U.S. had won the Ryder Cup was 2008. There were a bevy of first-timers on the team, like Boo Weekley and Anthony Kim, the latter of which made his Ryder Cup debut in style, defeating the vaunted match play wizard Sergio Garcia in Sunday Singles. Check out a few highlights:

Needing to muster a comeback down 9.5-6.5 at Hazeltine to the U.S. Team, European Captain Darren Clarke sent out Rory McIlroy to take on a red-hot Patrick Reed. What materialized was absolutely thrilling, highlighted by these putts on the 17th hole:

As Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth were walking up to the green on the ninth hole of a match at the 2016 Ryder Cup, the fans in the Hazeltine National stands treated them to their own version of the Star Spangled Banner:

C’mon — how could this one not be No. 1?! Justin Leonard’s epic putt at The Country Club during the 1999 Ryder Cup may be one of the wildest golf shots in the sport’s history. From one end of the green to the other, and right in the back of the cup to ice the Ryder Cup for Team USA: