14½. One man's vision - England, 1926

Thanks be to Samuel Ryder, a seed merchant from St Albans, who gets the whole thing under way with his vision of a biennial match between the best professionals from Great Britain and the United States. He sponsors the first event - at Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1927 - and has a special golden trophy made for the princely sum of £250. The golfing figure depicted on the top of the trophy is Abe Mitchell, a former professional and Ryder's instructor and friend.

14. All change - The Greenbrier, 1979

With the United States winning 18 of the first 22 meetings against Great Britain and Ireland, many - not least the Americans - are questioning the point of continuing to play the biennial match. Hopes that a Europe team could save the event prove well founded. Severiano Ballesteros comes in for the first time and although Europe lose 17-11 on American soil, the die has been cast.

13. Europe's breakthrough - Muirfield Village, 1987

The moment the tide truly turns in favour of Europe. The US have never been beaten on home soil, but this has been coming from the moment Tony Jacklin took charge of the Europe team four years earlier. Jacklin's side races to a five-point lead after two days and cannot be caught. They go on to win 15-13 and Jack Nicklaus, the US captain says, “On the European Tour, there is lesser competition, which puts players in contention more often and makes them better and more aggressive finishers.”

12. O'Connor's finest moment - The Belfry, 1989

Trailing in nine of the singles matches, it looks as if Europe are going to lose the Ryder Cup to a team described at the gala ball by Raymond Floyd, the US captain, as "the 12 greatest players in the world". So it is time for heroes, and one steps forward in the unlikely guise of the silver-haired Christy O'Connor. The Irishman, one down to Fred Couples and 230 yards from the flag at the 18th, hits the finest shot of his life, a two-iron, over water, to within three feet of the hole. Shaken, Couples blowa a relatively straightforward nine-iron shot and is forced to concede the hole. It sparks tears of joy and relief for O'Connor and proves a crucial turning point in the match. When Jose-Maria Canizares beats Ken Green, Europe cannot be beaten. With the match tied at 14-14, Europe, as the holders, retain the trophy

11. Strange line up - The Belfry, 2002

With the match all-square going into the singles, Sam Torrance, the Europe captain, cannot believe his eyes when he is given Curtis Strange's line-up for the final day. Torrance has decided to top-load the singles, putting his best players out first. Strange, on the other hand, has offered up his sacrificial lambs first and, staggeringly, has put Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, his two best players, at 11th and 12th in the order, from where they have little chance to influence proceedings. Colin Montgomerie gets things rolling with a 5 and 4 mauling of Scott Hoch and Europe never look back. Paul McGinley sinks the winning putt and penguin-hops his way across the green in celebration. "It had nothing to do with me," a tearful Torrance says. "I led the boys to water, and they drank copiously."

10. From "Dream Team" to "Sutton's Nightmare" - Oakland Hills, 2004