The first Ryder Cup contest took place in the United States in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Two years later, its first GB&I host was Moortown in Leeds, since when it has been staged at a surprising number of courses including these five excellent Top 100 championship venues.
Royal Lytham & St Annes
The opening hole at Royal Lytham is a very well bunkered par 3
(Image credit: Geoff Ellis – golfworking.co.uk)
England’s renowned golf coast in the north-west had a strong, formative role to play in the Ryder Cup with Lytham first hosting the match in mid-October, 1961. The format that year was four foursomes morning and afternoon on day one, and eight singles both morning and afternoon on day two; a gruelling schedule over such a tough and strategic test of golf. Arnold Palmer made his debut and was leading points scorer as the visitors won 14½-9½. They won again when it returned in 1977, this time with a young Tom Watson making his debut. Despite its slightly more enclosed nature with the railway bordering several holes, Royal Lytham & St Annes is a classic links that has hosted the Open Championship 11 times.
Muirfield
The closing hole and distinctive clubhouse at Muirfield
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Renowned for its hosting of The Open Championship, not so many golfers are aware that Muirfield has also hosted the Ryder Cup. This was back in 1973 when the USA prevailed 19-13. This Harry Colt and Tom Simpson design is quite simply one of the purest and most perfect tests of golf anywhere.
The second green at Muirfield
(Image credit: Rob Smith)
Its subtle, flowing and very classy design is packed with some of the finest bunkering anywhere as well as excellent greens. Rather than one or two exceptional holes at Muirfield, there are eighteen. For fans of golf course architecture, this most elegant of designs is a living master-class.
Royal Birkdale
The tenth at Royal Birkdale is played from right to left and up a slope
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Prior to Muirfield, Royal Birkdale hosted the Ryder Cup in 1965 and 1969. The latter match resulted in the event’s first tie culminating in the famous Jack Nicklaus concession of Tony Jacklin’s final putt for a half. With recent changes improving the test and balance still further, this is widely regarded as the leading course in England.
The par-3 twelfth at Birkdale is a real beauty
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Next year, it will host The Open for an eleventh time….
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