The largest margins of victory in Ryder Cup history

The 45th Ryder Cup is being held at Bethpage Black from September 26-28, 2025, with the United States hosting Europe.

Europe enter the contest as the defending champions, bidding for just their fifth win on away soil, while the U.S. are targeting a fourth home win in the last five editions as hosts.

From the inaugural event in 1927 through to 1959, the Ryder Cup matches were played to a maximum of 36 holes. From 1961, matches were decided over 18 holes.

Since the inclusion of players from continental Europe ahead of the 1979 Ryder Cup, the biggest margin of victory in the overall contest was 19-9 in favour of the United States at Whistling Straits in 2021.

The record margin of victory before continental Europe joined the fray dates back to 1967, when the U.S. beat a Great Britain side 23½-8½.

Here, we take a look at the largest margins of victory in a match across foursomes, four-balls and singles.

36-hole matches (to 1959)

Foursomes

10 & 9 (US) Walter Hagen & Denny Shute bt (Great Britain) George Duncan & Arthur Havers (1931)

10 & 9 (US) Ed Oliver & Lew Worsham bt (Great Britain) Henry Cotton & Arthur Lees (1947)

Singles

10 & 8 (Great Britain) George Duncan bt Walter Hagen (1929)

Four-balls was introduced to the Ryder Cup in 1963 when the event expanded to three days.

18-hole matches (from 1961)

Foursomes

9 & 7 (Europe) Ludvig Åberg & Viktor Hovland bt (US) Scottie Scheffler & Brooks Koepka (2023)

Four-balls

7 & 5 (US) Lee Trevino & Jerry Pate bt (Europe) Nick Faldo & Sam Torrance (1981)

Singles

8 & 7 (US) Tom Kite bt (Europe) Howard Clark (1989)

8 & 7 (US) Fred Couples bt (Europe) Ian Woosnam (1997)