In football, it’s home-field advantage, and in basketball, it’s called home-court advantage. While it’s not often a concept in golf, the format of the Ryder Cup comes with the potential of home-course advantage.
The biennial competition pits a team representing the United States against a team of European golfers. As such, the event alternates between the U.S. and Europe every two years, and history often favors the host country.
After Europe captured the win during the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy, the event moved back to the States in 2025, with New York’s Bethpage Black course playing host. Despite the fanfare, however, Europe got out to a roaring start, making light work of the U.S. team’s perceived advantage.
As Europe looks to undo a recent trend, here is a look back at the last time its team earned a Ryder Cup win on U.S. soil.
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Last time Europe won Ryder Cup in USA
Europe’s last Ryder Cup win in the U.S. came in 2012.
The 2012 Ryder Cup was held at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. Led by Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose, Europe emerged victorious with a 14.5-13.5 win over the United States.
An unlikely comeback on the final day fueled Europe’s victory. Europe entered the day trailing 10-6 but won eight of 12 singles matches, halved one, and lost three.
That gave Europe the day, 8.5-3.5, bringing the overall tally to 14.5-13.5 — a thrilling win for Europe and a disappointing collapse for a U.S. team that featured Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson.
After 2012, the host team won the next five Ryder Cup events.
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2012 Ryder Cup rosters
Europe Ryder Cup team 2012
| Golfer | Position |
| Jose Maria Olazabal | Captain |
| Rory McIlroy | Automatic qualifier |
| Justin Rose | Automatic qualifier |
| Paul Lawrie | Automatic qualifier |
| Graeme McDowell | Automatic qualifier |
| Francesco Molinari | Automatic qualifier |
| Luke Donald | Automatic qualifier |
| Lee Westwood | Automatic qualifier |
| Sergio Garcia | Automatic qualifier |
| Peter Hanson | Automatic qualifier |
| Martin Kaymer | Automatic qualifier |
| Nicolas Colsaerts | Captain’s pick |
| Ian Poulter | Captain’s pick |
USA Ryder Cup team 2012
| Golfer | Position |
| Davis Love III | Captain |
| Tiger Woods | Automatic qualifier |
| Bubba Watson | Automatic qualifier |
| Jason Dufner | Automatic qualifier |
| Keegan Bradley | Automatic qualifier |
| Webb Simpson | Automatic qualifier |
| Zach Johnson | Automatic qualifier |
| Matt Kuchar | Automatic qualifier |
| Phil Mickelson | Automatic qualifier |
| Steve Stricker | Captain’s pick |
| Jim Furyk | Captain’s pick |
| Brandt Snedeker | Captain’s pick |
| Dustin Johnson | Captain’s pick |
Ryder Cup winners by year
Here is the list of Ryder Cup winners since the format changed to USA vs. Europe in 1979.
Since the format change, the host nation has lost six times — the USA has won twice in Europe, while Europe has won four times in the United States. Each instance is listed in bold.
| YEAR | WINNER | SCORE | LOCATION |
| 1979 | United States | 17-11 | West Virginia, United States |
| 1981 | United States | 18.5-9.5 | England, Europe |
| 1983 | United States | 14.5-13.5 | Florida, United States |
| 1985 | Europe | 16.5-11.5 | England, Europe |
| 1987 | Europe | 15-13 | Ohio, United States |
| 1989 | Tied | 14-14 | England, Europe |
| 1991 | United States | 14.5-13.5 | South Carolina, United States |
| 1993 | United States | 15-13 | England, Europe |
| 1995 | Europe | 14.5-13.5 | New York, United States |
| 1997 | Europe | 14.5-13.5 | Spain, Europe |
| 1999 | United States | 14.5-13.5 | Massachusetts, United States |
| 2002 | Europe | 15.5-12.5 | England, Europe |
| 2004 | Europe | 18.5-9.5 | Michigan, United States |
| 2006 | Europe | 18.5-9.5 | Ireland, Europe |
| 2008 | United States | 16.5-11.5 | Kentucky, United States |
| 2010 | Europe | 14.5-13.5 | Wales, Europe |
| 2012 | Europe | 14.5-13.5 | Illinois, United States |
| 2014 | Europe | 16.5-11.5 | Scotland, Europe |
| 2016 | United States | 17-11 | Minnesota, United States |
| 2018 | Europe | 17.5-10.5 | France, Europe |
| 2021 | United States | 19-9 | Wisconsin, United States |
| 2023 | Europe | 16.5-11.5 | Italy, Europe |
