Through 43 Ryder Cups, there have been a bevy of players selected to both teams.
But only a select few have become Ryder Cup heroes for their respective squads and are now synonymous with the event.
Here’s a look at the top 12 in all-time points for both the United States and European teams.
All-Time Team Europe
Sergio Garcia
Years played: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
Career record: 25-13-7
Points: 28.5
The Spaniard’s 25 Ryder Cup wins are the most all-time.
Nick Faldo
Years played: 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997
Career record: 23-19-4
Points: 25
The Englishman is tied with Lee Westwood for the most starts on the European team with 11.
Bernhard Langer
Years played: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2002
Career record: 21-15-6
Points: 24
The German missed a putt that prevented Europe from retaining the cup in 1991, but his impact on the European squad remains profound.
Lee Westwood
Years played: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2020
Career record: 21-20-6
Points: 24
The Englishman’s 11 Ryder Cup appearances are tied for the most ever on the European side and was part of two Ryder Cup three-peats.
Colin Montgomerie
Years played: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006
Career record: 20-9-7
Points: 23.5
The Scot’s success in the Ryder Cup was a big part of his World Golf Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2013.
Seve Ballesteros
Years played: 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995
Career record: 20-12-5
Points: 22.5
Jack Nicklaus wanted to expand the Great Britain and Ireland team to all of Europe so Ballesteros, a native of Spain, could play the event. That came to fruition in 1979 and he became a Ryder Cup icon, playing 37 matches.
Jose Maria Olazabal
Years played: 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2006
Career record: 18-8-5
Points: 20.5
The Spaniard’s nine fourball wins rank second in European history.
Tony Jacklin
Years played: 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979
Career record: 13-14-8
Points: 17
The Englishman was a part of “The Concession” with Nicklaus during the tie in 1969 before going on to captain Europe throughout the ‘80s and changing the trajectory of the event and Team Europe forever.
Ian Woosnam
Years played: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997
Career record: 14-12-5
Points: 16.5
He is the only player from Wales inside the top 10 in European Ryder Cup points. Led Europe to a 2006 Ryder Cup win as captain.
Ian Poulter
Years played: 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020
Career record: 15-8-2
Points: 16
The Englishman was considered the heart and soul of many European teams during the last 20 years.
Bernard Gallacher
Years played: 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983
Career record: 13-13-5
Points: 15.5
Never won a Ryder Cup as a player, though he finally got a win in his third stint as Captain, in 1995.
Peter Oosterhuis
Years played: 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981
Career record: 14-11-3
Points: 15.5
An impressive 6-2-1 in singles play, but he never was able to score a team win in six Cups.
All-Time U.S. Team
Billy Casper
Years played: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979
Career record: 20-10-7
Points: 23.5
His eight Ryder Cup starts stood as a record for a while, and he was never a member of a losing team.
Arnold Palmer
Years Played: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1973
Career record: 22-8-2
Points: 23
He played against many lackluster European teams, but his record is nothing to scoff at.
Phil Mickelson
Years played: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018
Career record: 18-22-7
Points: 21.5
His 12 appearances in the event are the most all-time for either team.
Lanny Wadkins
Years played: 1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993
Career record: 20-11-3
Points: 21.5
One of America's best-ever Ryder Cup players, he stuck his approach on the par-5 18th to 18 inches at the 1983 Ryder Cup to essentially lock up a U.S. victory.
Lee Trevino
Years played: 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1981
Career record: 17-7-6
Points: 20
Also served as captain of the 1985 U.S. Team, which was the Americans’ first defeat since 1957.
Jack Nicklaus
Years Played: 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981
Career record: 17-8-3
Points: 18.5
Amid a career with 18 major wins, the Golden Bear had success in the Ryder Cup, including a 7-1-0 record in foursomes. He was also captain in 1983 and 1987, going 1-1.
Gene Littler
Years played: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1975
Career record: 14-5-8
Points: 18
Littler received the Ben Hogan Award in 1973 for a courageous comeback from injury or illness, returning to the Tour after receiving treatment for malignant melanoma. He made one Ryder Cup start afterward.
Tom Kite
Years played: 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993
Career record: 15-9-4
Points: 17
Holds records for the heaviest defeat inflicted on opponents, beating Howard Clark in singles, 8 and 7, in 1989 singles and partnering with Hale Irwin to take down Ken Brown and Des Smyth, 7 and 6, in foursomes.
Tiger Woods
Years played: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2018
Career record: 13-21-3
Points: 14.5
Sure, maybe Woods didn’t have the success in the Ryder Cup that he did in his individual career, but it’s hard to talk about the last 25 years of the event without mentioning Woods. It also appears he’ll be named U.S. captain sooner rather than later.
Hale Irwin
Years played: 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1991
Career record: 13-5-2
Points: 14
The three-time major winner was never a part of a Ryder Cup loss.
Raymond Floyd
Years played: 1969, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1991, 1993
Career record: 12-16-3
Points: 13.5
Was a part of six winning teams as a player, including two after he served as Captain in 1989 U.S. loss.
Dustin Johnson
Years played: 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2021
Career record: 12-9
Points: 12
Amazingly, Johnson has never halved a match. He went 5-0 in 2021 at Whistling Straits.
