The best Ryder Cup players of all time

Probably not a household name to the casual golf fans. That's likely not the case for those who considered themselves die-hards. Anyway, here's a history lesson. Demaret, the three-time Masters champion was part of three American-winning Ryder Cup teams in 1947, '49, and '51. If that wasn't impressive enough, Demaret posted an immaculate 6-0-0 overall record, splitting those victories between Singles and Foursome matches.

Lost in the collective mass of fellow American golfer giants, Irwin out together quite the Ryder Cup resume. With a 13-5-2 overall record and 14 points (10th-best by an American) in the event, Irwin has posted one of the best Ryder Cup points percentages at 70.0. Perhaps more importantly, in five appearances (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1991) on the United States Ryder Cup team, the three-time major winner never lost a title. 

The venerable Oosterhuis played in six Ryder Cups from 1971-'81, competing in 28 matches and posting a 14-11-3 record. While the Englishman's 15 1/2 points are among the most in European Ryder Cup history, Oosterhuis is celebrated for his success in the Singles competition. His six Singles victories are tied for the most among European golfers, and he only dropped two of the nine such matches he played in the event.

The first of Spain's two legendary golfers we'll showcase on this list. Olazabal was a Ryder Cup participant seven times (1987-'06) and served as captain in 2012. He competed in 31 matches and is one of seven European golfers to record at least 20 points (20 1/2) for a career. Olazabal's 18-8-5 is well worthy of celebrating, and his nine wins in Fourball matches rank second in the history of Team Europe. 

The Hall-of-Famer Littler is a regular presence when it comes to ranking among the leaders in U.S. Ryder Cup history. He played in seven Ryder Cups from 1961-'75 (winning six), and his 18 points are seventh-most among all American participants, while his 6 1/2 Singles points earned ranked fourth all-time. Littler, the 1961 U.S. Open champion, concluded his Ryder Cup career with a solid 14-5-8 overall record.

From 1937-'59, the great Sam Snead appeared in seven Ryder Cups. His American squad won all seven of those events, with Snead serving as player-captain in both 1951 and '59. The seven-time major champion, who posted a 10-2-1 overall record in Ryder Cup play -- with six coming in Singles matches, also captained the 1969 U.S. team, which tied Team Europe in that particular event.

The steady Kite won just one major (1992 U.S. Open) during his solid PGA Tour career, but appeared in the Ryder Cup seven times as a player (four victories, three ties) from 1979-'93, and once as a victorious captain in 1997. And, Kite certainly came ready to play, ranking seventh in U.S. history with 15 overall victories, including a strong 5-0-2 mark in Singles play. His 17 overall Ryder Cup points also rank seventh all-time.

The legendary Golden Bear has naturally been a factor within the realm of the Ryder Cup, but perhaps not as prolific as one might assume considering he's won a record 18 major titles. Nicklaus played in six Ryder Cups from 1969-'81 (winning five times), competed in 28 matches, and earned 18 1/2 points -- the latter sits seventh among American golfers. His 17 overall wins are tied for fifth. Nicklaus also captained two U.S. teams (1983, '87).

One of the greats of all time, the late Ballesteros, a five-time major champion, left an indelible mark on European Ryder Cup history. The beloved Spaniard was part of eight Ryder Cup teams as a player and captained Team Europe in 2005 and '07. He ranks among the European leaders in Ryder Cup matches played (37), points (22 1/2), and victories (20). Ballesteros and aforementioned fellow countryman Jose Maria Olazabal have been paired together (15) more than any other Ryder Cup participants -- totaling 12 points with an 11-2-2 record.

The great Lee Trevino's Ryder Cup resume is rather similar to that of his buddy Jack Nicklaus. Like the Golden Bear, Trevino played in the Ryder Cup six times from 1969-'81 and posted 17 overall victories. Trevino, meanwhile, is one of just eight American golfers to play in 30 or more Ryder Cup matches and ranks fifth in U.S. history with 20 points accumulated during the prestigious event. The six-time major winner was also captain in 1985. 

Westwood may go down as the best golfer never to win a major, but the Ryder Cup will certainly be a highlight within his overall stellar golf legacy. He's set to make his 11th Ryder Cup appearance (1997-2021, with seven victories), which would tie Westwood for the most European golfers. Meanwhile, his 44 matches played ranked second in the history of Team Europe and his 23 points are fifth all-time. He's also one of six European golfers to win at least 20 Ryder Cup matches

No golfer -- whether American or European -- in the history of the Ryder Cup has made more appearances in the event than Mickelson's 12. Though Lefty's Ryder playing days appear to be done, his legacy will always be celebrated. His 47 matches played are also a Ryder Cup record. While Mickelson has an 18-22-17 overall mark, his 21 1/2 points are tied for third among American golfers and he ranks fourth in wins. 

Langer's 10 Ryder Cup appearances make him one of five golfers -- from the U.S. or Europe -- to record at least that many in the history of the event. Six of those teams either won or retained the Cup, while Langer also captained the 2004 European squad to victory. Within the history of Team Europe, Langer's 42 Ryder Cup matches, 24 points, and 21 victories all rank third. Making him one of the most successful golfers in the overall history of the Ryder Cup.  

A 21-time winner on the PGA Tour and victorious in the 1977 PGA Championship, Wadkins enjoyed a stellar Hall-of-Fame career. However, the most lasting aspect of Wadkins' legacy might be his overall Ryder Cup body of work. His eight Ryder Cup appearances (1977-'93) are tied for third among American golfers, and his 34 matches played are tied for fourth. Wadkins' 20 victories are tied for second in the U.S., while his 21 1/2 points are tied with Mickelson for third. Wadkins, a five-time Ryder Cup winner, also captained the 1995 U.S. squad.

From 1991-2006, "Monty" made eight Ryder Cup appearances and was one of the more formidable golfers in the history of the event. The Scotsman won five of those tournaments as a player and guided Europe to the 2010 Cup as captain. Montgomerie's 23 1/2 points ranked fourth all-time in European Ryder Cup history, and his 20 wins are tied for the same spot. However, what truly sets Montgomerie apart from the rest is his stellar 6-0-2 mark in Singles' play.

Yes, Arnold Palmer has accomplished everything a golfer can desire -- seven major championships, 62 career PGA Tour wins, four-time Tour money winner, and PGA Player of the Year in 1960 and '62. Then there's the Ryder Cup, which is a chapter in itself for Palmer. He made six Ryder Cup teams, but his 32 matches rank sixth for the U.S. and his 23 points are second. Finally, Palmer's 22 victories are the most by any American in Ryder Cup history and nine in Foursome matches equal Lanny Wadkins for the most all-time by a U.S. golfer. 

If there's a golfer made for the spirit and competitiveness of the Ryder Cup, it's Poulter. "The Postman" is slated to make his seventh Ryder Cup (2004-2021) appearance, with him and his European teammates victorious on five occasions. The usually exuberant Poulter's best-known Ryder Cup moment likely came in 2018, when he beat then-world-No. 1-ranked Dustin Johnson in Singles play to help Team Europe hoist the Cup. For his career, Poulter has collected 15 points from 22 matches and is a strong 5-0-1 in the Singles competition.

From 1961-'75, Casper played on eight Ryder Cup teams. Each of those U.S. teams hoisted the Cup, and Casper also guided the 1979 U.S. squad to victory. In the annals of U.S. Ryder Cup history, Casper leads the way with 23 1/2 points and tied for second with 37 matches played and also sharing second (alongside Lanny Wadkins) with 20 overall wins. Casper's six Singles are also tied for the most by an American. 

Sergio may have that one major title under his belt, but when it comes to Ryder Cup greats, he's pretty much legendary. The popular Spaniard is still the youngest golfer from either team to debut in the Ryder Cup -- 19 years, 258 days during the 1999 event. He's also the event's all-time leader with 25 1/2 points. Garcia, about to make his 10th Ryder Cup appearance, has been part of six winning teams. He also ranks among the European leaders in matches (41) and overall victories (23)

Only Phil Mickelson has made more Ryder Cup appearances than Faldo's 11. Those came from 1977-'97. Now, Faldo, the six-time major winner, hoisted the Cup in only five of those years and failed to win when he captained Team Europe in 2008. That said, on the individual front, Faldo's 46 matches played are the most of any European, and his 25 points trail only Sergio Garcia, Faldo's 23 victories are still the most among any European golfer.