Ryder Cup Records: The Most Successful U.S. and European Pairings Ever

One of the best parts of the Ryder Cup? Watching pairs of the best players in the world tee it up together in Foursomes and Four-Balls.

And there's been some extremely successful pairings in the 98-year history of the Ryder Cup. We'll see more pairings at Bethpage Black this week, but you may be wondering... who's been the best duo on the United States and European teams?

Let's break it down.

Partnerships to Earn the Most Points (Lifetime)

Europe

• José María Olazábal & Seve Ballesteros - 12
• Ian Woosnam & Nick Faldo - 6
• Lee Westwood & Darren Clarke - 6
• Henrik Stenson & Justin Rose - 6

United States

• Arnold Palmer & Gardner Dickinson - 5
• Patrick Reed & Jordan Spieth - 5
• Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas - 4.5
• Keegan Bradley & Phil Mickelson - 4
• Tom Watson & Jack Nicklaus - 4
• Lanny Wadkins & Larry Nelson - 4

Partnerships to Earn the Most Points (One Year)

Europe

• Tommy Fleetwood & Francesco Molinari (2018) - 4
• Ian Woosnam & Nick Faldo (1987) - 3.5
• José María Olazábal & Seve Ballesteros (1989) - 3.5
• José María Olazábal & Seve Ballesteros (1991) - 3.5
• Jesper Parnevik & Sergio Garcia (1999) - 3.5

United States

• Lanny Wadkins & Larry Nelson (1979) - 4
• Johnny Pott & Bobby Nichols (1967) - 3
• Arnold Palmer & Gardner Dickinson (1971) - 3
• Tom Watson & Jack Nicklaus (1981) - 3
• Keegan Bradley & Phil Mickelson (2012) - 3
• Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas (2018) - 3
• Dustin Johnson & Collin Morikawa (2021) - 3

Most Frequent Partnerships (Lifetime)

Europe

• José María Olazábal & Seve Ballesteros - 15
• Christy O' Connor Sr. & Peter Alliss - 12
• Bernard Gallacher & Brian Barnes - 10
• Ian Woosnam & Nick Faldo - 10

United States

• Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas - 9
• Patrick Reed & Jordan Spieth - 7
• Tiger Woods & Steve Stricker - 6
• Curtis Strange & Tom Kite - 6
• Webb Simpson & Bubba Watson - 6
• David Toms & Phil Mickelson - 6
• Lanny Wadkins & Larry Nelson - 6