Sept. 23-28, 2025 Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, NY

With the 2018 American Ryder Cup team now set, Ryder Cup USA Captain Jim Furyk now faces the tough challenge of pairing his golfers to face a formidable European side.

But no matter who is matched with whom, every partnership will have a high bar to reach.

RELATED: Jim Furyk has no shortage of great options for final pick

That bar was set by Arnold Palmer and Gardner Dickinson, who won both of their foursomes matches at the 1967 Ryder Cup, and then both foursomes and a four-ball match in the 1971 Ryder Cup, making them the only pair to go 5-for-5 in their Ryder Cup history.

But the best single Ryder Cup pair came in 1979, when Larry Nelson and Lanny Wadkins played together for two four-ball and two foursome matches and won them all. No other pair has ever won four points in a single Ryder Cup.

But there are still two pairings who performed better over their careers. Here are the four most successful career Ryder Cup pairings:

The 1971 Ryder Cup team, with Gardner Dickinson (front row, farthest right) and Arnold Palmer (front row, third from right).

Arnold Palmer and Gardner Dickinson

1967 Ryder Cup: 2 out of 2 points

1971 Ryder Cup: 3 out of 3 points

MORE: Official 2018 Ryder Cup store

MatchesWinsLostHalvedPoints
55005

 

Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth

2014 Ryder Cup: 2 ½ out of 3 points

2016 Ryder Cup: 2 ½ out of 4 points

 

MatchesWinsLostHalvedPoints
74125

Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson

1977 Ryder Cup: 1 out of 1 point

1981 Ryder Cup: 3 out of 3 points

MORE: How to watch the 2018 Ryder Cup online

MatchesWinsLostHalvedPoints
44004

 

Larry Nelson and Lanny Wadkins

1979 Ryder Cup: 4 out of 4 points

1987 Ryder Cup: 0 out of 2 points

MatchesWinsLostHalvedPoints
64204

More News

The Ryder Cup Newsletter
Enter your email address to receive updates on changes in rankings and important announcements.
We appreciate your interest in and excitement for The Ryder Cup. We will be sharing important updates as they become available.
There has been an error in your submission. Please try again.