Ryder Cup 2016: The most iconic moments in Ryder Cup history

7 – Monty leads the rout, 2004

The records tumbled in Michigan in 2004 with Colin Montgomerie centre stage. The Scot had remained unbeaten in Ryder Cup singles matches in his six previous tournaments and now stood on the last green at Oakland Hills knowing a successful five-foot putt would retain the trophy for Europe. A confident nudge guided the ball into the hole and Monty let his putter fall to the turf as he turned to milk the applause. Europe went on to amass a huge winning score of 18½ to 9½, their biggest ever margin of victory and the heaviest defeat suffered by the US since the tournament began in 1927.

6 – Langer’s clanger, 1991

Three days of intense match play golf are inevitably decided by one player missing or sinking a vital putt. Fate decreed that Bernhard Langer would be that man at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course in 1991. The generally unflappable German had a six-foot putt to beat Hale Irwin by one hole and secure the 14-14 draw that would retain the trophy for Europe. It would also underline a magnificent personal comeback as Langer had been two down with four to play. Eventually he stepped forward, lined up his shot and stroked the ball. It broke slightly from left to right, but agonisingly an inch too far. Langer grimaced, the home crowd erupted and Irwin was given a Champagne shower by team-mate Payne Stewart.

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5 – Olazabal’s danceclass, 1987

There was Paul McGinley’s lake dive in 2000 and the cigar-smoking swagger of Miguel Angel Jimenez at Celtic Manor in 2010 but the best individual celebration was performed by Jose Marie Olazabal in 1987. The Spaniard made his Ryder Cup debut at Muirfield Village, Ohio and was part of the Europe team that won for the first time on American soil after 60 years of trying. A 2&1 finish for Seve Ballesteros over Curtis Strange confirmed the landmark victory and as the players gathered, Olazabal broke out into an impromptu dance, part Flamenco, part grandad at a wedding, something he says that still causes him great embarrassment to this day.

[STROKE OF GENIUS - THE GREATEST SHOTS IN RYDER CUP HISTORY]

4 – Tears on the first tee, 2006

Skip to 3.58 for Clarke

There have been many great receptions for Ryder Cup players as they’ve stepped out in front of the gallery on the 18th green. But none can match the raw emotion which greeted Darren Clarke to the first tee at Ireland’s K Club in 2006. Clarke’s wife Heather had died from breast cancer in August but in accordance with her wishes Clarke had accepted a wildcard invitation to play in September’s event from Europe captain Ian Woosnam. Clarke was partnering Lee Westwood in a Friday morning fourball match, but was perplexed when Westwood ran ahead. He soon found out what Westwood was up to when he stepped on to the tee. “He was working the crowd and, when I came into general view, I was hit by a tsunami of noise,” said Clarke. There were a few tears shed by Westwood and the pair’s caddie Billy Foster, as well as hugs from US opponents Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco. But Clarke remained composed and went on to win all three of his matches over the weekend as Europe dished out a second successive 18½-9½ thrashing to their long standing rivals.

3 - The sporting gesture, 1969

The first draw in Ryder Cup history also produced one of the greatest sporting gestures. The tournament at Royal Birkdale went down to the final game. Open champion Tony Jacklin and seven-time major winner Jack Nicklaus were all square at the 18th with both men on the green but some way from the hole. A win for either player would bring them and their team Ryder Cup glory. A half point each would mean the overall tournament would be tied but, as holders, the US would retain the trophy. Jacklin putted first but his effort fell shy by two feet. Nicklaus was too heavy with his attempt and overshot by five feet. The US man kept his nerve with his second putt to hole out, meaning that Jacklin had to bury his next putt or lose the match and the event outright. Nicklaus spared him the possible embarrassment, extending a hand to halve the match. Nicklaus explained: “The United States was going to retain the Cup either way. I didn't think it was in the spirit of the game to make him putt and have a chance to miss a 2-foot putt in front of his fans."

2 – Worth the wait, 1985

When the Great Britain & Ireland team was expanded to include all of Europe from 1979, the motive was clear. The Ryder Cup had become a procession of wins for the US who had not been defeated since a rare slip up at Lindrick in 1957. Stronger opposition was needed and in 1985 at The Belfry it finally arrived. For the first time since 1949 the US went into Sunday’s singles behind on points. By late afternoon it was apparent that Europe’s Sam Torrance could claim the honour of confirming a European victory if he could overcome US Open champion Andy North. Torrance found the green in two while North crumbled and sank his ball into the lake. The popular Scot had the luxury of three shots to claim victory, but finished in style with a birdie putt from 18 feet. He stood triumphant with arms raised and a tear in the eye and that defining image was to follow him throughout his career. Torrance said: “After this moment I couldn’t walk down the street without being stopped by people wanting to offer their congratulations. It’s definitely what most people know me for.”

1 – Poulter the powerhouse, 2012

During Saturday afternoon’s fourballs at the Medinah Country Club, Europe trailed 10-4 and looked hopelessly out of touch. A win at the 18th for Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald gave a glimmer of hope, but what followed behind them was an express train of inspiration in the shape of Ian Poulter. The Englishman had burst onto the Ryder Cup scene in 2008 as a wildcard pick from Nick Faldo and had outscored every other player at Valhalla that year despite Europe’s defeat. In Illinois he was back to his fist-pumping, eye bulging best. Poulter and partner Rory McIlroy had been two down with six to play against US pair Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner. But Poulter then switched up a gear, embarking on a relentless streak of birdies over holes 14 to 17 as the European pair drew level. By the time Poulter stood in the fading light of the 18th green he had the opportunity of capturing a fifth successive birdie and winning a vital point for his team. A beautifully weighted putt from 10 feet had the pace and purpose to glide into the hole and Poulter roared with approval. Suitably inspired, Europe turned over the four-point deficit in Sunday’s singles, claiming 8½ of the 12 points available to make the Miracle at Medinah one of sport’s greatest ever comebacks.