USA
Looking back at the 1993 Ryder Cup, the last time the USA won on foreign soil
By T.J. Auclair On September 14, 2018 12:07 UTC
It's almost impossible to believe, but the U.S. hasn't won a Ryder Cup on foreign soil since 1993.
That's when the Tom Watson-led Americans rallied for a 15-13 victory over Europe at the Belfry in England.
So, what went right for the Americans that year?
For starters, they had plenty of experience.
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Of the 12 players, there were just three rookies: John Cook, Lee Janzen and Davis Love III. The other nine players accounted for a combined 30 Ryder Cup appearances. Captain's picks Ray Floyd and Lanny Wadkins had played in seven Ryder Cups apiece.
Six players on that team -- Fred Couples, Tom Kite, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III, Floyd and Wadkins -- would all go on to become World Golf Hall of Famers.
Floyd, the oldest player on the team that week at 51 -- seven years older than his captain -- was tied for the highest U.S. point total at the Belfry, collecting three points in the four matches he played, with a record of 3-1-0.
The combined age of the 12 players on Ryder Cup USA in the 1993 matches was 434, or an average age of just over 36 years old.
In contrast, the 2016 winning Ryder Cup USA team had a combined age of 397, or an average age of 33.
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In the 1993 Ryder Cup, the United States trailed 7.5-4.5 following Saturday morning's foursomes matches. They rallied in the afternoon fourballs, however, taking three of a possible four points.
Europe had a 1-point lead at 8.5-7.5 going into Sunday's singles. The Europeans won 3.5 points in the first five matches that Sunday, but the USA rallied, winning matches 6-10 and halving the last two for the 15-13 victory.
Love secured victory for the U.S. by defeating Costantino Rocca at the last hole, 1 up, in the seventh singles match.
Believe it or not, that's the last time Phil Mickelson missed a Ryder Cup. He was in his second year as a PGA Tour pro when it was played.
The next Ryder Cup in 1995 at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York, was the start of European domination in the bienniel matches. Between 1995 and 2014, Europe won eight of the 10 matches played.