Making their mark - Which rookies have performed the best in Ryder Cup history?

Playing in the Ryder Cup for the first time is the fulfilment of many golfers' dreams. A battle of pride, passion and patriotism, it often brings out memorable performances but amid the increased scrutiny, making your debut in golf’s pre-eminent competition can be a daunting experience.

At Bethpage Black this week, five players – four for the United States and one on Team Europe – will hope to make their mark on the Ryder Cup stage.

Major champion J.J. Spaun, is joined by World Number Three Russell Henley and two first-time PGA TOUR winners this year in Ben Griffin and Cameron Young in donning the red, white and blue for the first time.

By comparison, Rasmus Højgaard is the lone newcomer for Team Europe, in what is an otherwise unchanged line-up to Luke Donald’s winning side from Rome in 2023.

Here, focusing on editions since the Ryder Cup ushered in a new era in 1979 with the introduction of players from continental Europe, we look back at the best performances by a rookie.

Larry Nelson – 5-0-0 (United States, 1979)

To this day, the American is one of just five players to have won all five matches in which they have played at a Ryder Cup. He forged a formidable partnership with Lanny Wadkins, winning in both foursomes and four-balls matches, before rounding out his week with a 3&2 success against Seve Ballesteros in the singles as the United States enjoyed a 17-11 victory at The Greenbrier.

Thomas Pieters – 4-1-0 (Europe, 2016)

CHASKA, MN - OCTOBER 02: Thomas Pieters of Europe reacts on the 14th green during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Despite ending on the losing side, the Belgian enjoyed a Ryder Cup debut to remember at Hazeltine. A Captain's Pick, the then 24-year-old was the top scorer that week - becoming the first rookie on either team to win at least four matches at a single Ryder Cup since Nelson. After a heavy defeat to Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar in Friday's opening foursomes, a session which saw the United States enjoy a clean sweep, Pieters played his part alongside Rory McIlroy as Europe mounted a fightback in the afternoon four-balls on day one. The same pairing united again for both the four-balls and foursomes on Saturday, registering wins against Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson and then Brooks Koepka and Johnson respectively. A three-time DP World Tour winner at the time, Pieters rounded off his week with a 3&2 triumph against J.B. Holmes in the singles.

Tommy Fleetwood - 4-1-0 (Europe, 2018)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 30: Tommy Fleetwood of England and the European Team runs onto the 18th green after Europe's 17.5-10.5 win over the United States during the singles matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 30, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

One half of one of Europe's most formidable partnerships of recent memory, the Englishman was one of the stars of Thomas Bjørn's victorious team at Le Golf National in 2018. After teaming up with Francesco Molinari to beat Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods in four-balls on both the opening two days, including from two down in the first session, he and the then reigning Open champion overcame Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth and then convincingly beat Woods and Bryson DeChambeau over foursomes. But while his Italian team-mate was able to finish the week unbeaten, Fleetwood suffered a 6&4 defeat to Tony Finau in the singles.

Justin Thomas - 4-1-0 (United States, 2018)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 30: Justin Thomas of the United States celebrates chipping in on the 12th during singles matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 30, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

On the opposing side, one player stood out above the rest. Featuring in all five matches for the United States, Thomas was part of a strong start by Jim Furyk's side, teaming up with Spieth to win one of three points in the first fourballs session. After defeat in the afternoon four-balls, the duo showed resolve to win both their matches on day two, edging Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm in four-balls and then beating Poulter and McIlroy in foursomes. Such was his form over the opening two days, he led the United States out in the singles and beat McIlroy on the final hole but it couldn't prevent Europe running out as convincing winners.