Which Ryder Cup format do Europe completely dominate America in?

Europe’s dominance of the Ryder Cup since the turn of the century can be explained through one format.

There is a reason why captain Luke Donald chose to play foursomes in the first session of the 2023 matches against the USA: the blue and gold have a fantastic record in this format. This was proven by a 4-0 sweep on that sun-swept morning in Rome.

When pairs alternate from one shot to the next, Europeans have excelled since the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline. You might have already known that, but in-depth statistics show just how vast the chasm is and where the stars and stripes flag flounders.

The enormous bank of stats courtesy of Match Play World shows since 1999 and having played a minimum of six matches, there is one American in the top 10 of points scored per match in foursomes and four in the top 15.

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Ryder Cup foursomes: European players have nailed this format this century

Justin Rose has an outstanding record in foursomes, winning 75% of his points across 10 matches. During his Ryder Cup career, he had two key partnerships with Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson.

The English pair of Poulter and Rose teamed up for the first time in 2008 at Valhalla and went on to win three out of four foursome matches at this Ryder Cup and in 2012 at Medinah when Europe recovered from 10-6 down in the Sunday singles to miraculously win.

Perhaps the more iconic pair was with Stenson. They had a towering presence on the course for Europe, around the time when they both became major champions, and scored three points from four matches.

Donald has an outstanding Ryder Cup record all-around. He has never lost as a captain or a player and when playing with Sergio Garcia, the pair only lost one foursomes match in five.

It’s no surprise to see Garcia near the top of this leaderboard given he is the record Ryder Cup points scorer on 28.5, but his record of winning more than 70% of points across 19 foursomes matches is massively impressive.

The Spaniard won both foursomes matches with Jesper Parnevik in 1999 and 2.5 points out of three matches when teamed with fellow European stalwart Lee Westwood. More recently, Garcia and Jon Rahm won two out of two points together at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits when Europe were thrashed 19-9.

It hasn’t always been plain sailing in foursomes for Europe, it must be said. They won 4.5-3.5 across both sessions in 1999 which was the year America staged a dramatic comeback on the final day, but in the away Ryder Cup defeats of 2008, 2016 and 2021, they were roundly beaten.

This might speak to the somewhat concerning Ryder Cup trend where the home team tends to excel on all fronts and win. In the last three home Ryder Cups, Europe has won the foursomes 7-1, 6-2 and 7-1. It would seem the continent capitalises on this format on home soil and this is where the players in the above table accumulated their points.

In the last three away Ryder Cups for America, they’ve only scored four foursomes points. In Europe’s last three away Ryder Cups, they have scored 7.5 points – more, but not an amazing tally. In 2004 when Europe won on away soil at Oakland Hills, they won 6-2 across both foursomes sessions and 2002 was the last time an American side won foursomes on the road.

While team stats suggest Europe and the USA aren’t widely separated in foursomes when compared with individuals, the significance of the individual foursomes records is further emphasised by America’s improved display in fourball better ball. Applying the same data variables to this format, eight US players are in the top 16 of points per match.

If you tip the scale down a notch to those who have played a minimum of four matches, Tommy Fleetwood and Rahm scored four points in four foursomes matches as of the 2023 Ryder Cup.

The lone American in the top 10 is Jordan Spieth. The three-time major champion has scored half of his points in eight foursomes matches playing with just two partners: Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas.

Dustin Johnson is the only other player to have played a minimum of six foursomes matches and scored at least half points. Next comes 2023 US captain Zach Johnson and possible future captain and 2009 Claret Jug winner Stewart Cink.

When discussing foursomes and European dominance, it’s impossible to forget Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal who scored an incredible 6.5 points in eight matches across four consecutive Ryder Cups from 1987 to 1993.

Match Play World originated from the desire to form a better solution to a common problem with match play events in golf. The Match Play Matrix format means every player plays every round, but the winner is still the last player undefeated.

While creating this unique format, Match Play World developed the Match Play World Golf Rankings for players dating back to 1927 when the first Ryder Cup was held. From the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Solheim Cup and WGC Match Play to the old EurAsia Cup and the new LIV Golf Team Championship, every match play event is covered. View the Match Play World Golf Rankings here. 

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