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Severiano Ballestereros hugs his youthful Spanish compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal as their incredible partnership got underway during the 1987 match at Muirfield Village. Getty Images
The 1981 United States Ryder Cup team is rated the strongest in their history and they romped to victory over the Europeans at Walton Heath. Getty Images
Ballesteros famously drove the par-four 10th at The Belfry in 1985 as he inspired the European team to their crushing victory over the U.S. Getty Images
Sam Torrance holed the winning putt at The Belfry in 1985 as Europe sealed a comprehensive victory over the United States to snap their long-standing domination of the team event. The last time the U.S. had failed to retain the trophy was 1957. Getty Images
In the beginning. The Great Britain and Ireland team on its way to the inaugural match in 1927 in Boston, Massachusetts, where the United States were deserving winners. Getty Images
The great Walter Hagen is handed the trophy after a convincing victory for the Americans in the 1937 match at Southport -- the first time an away team had claimed the trophy. Getty Images
A very rare victory for Great Britain and Ireland saw a team led by Dai Rees capture the trophy at Lindrick in 1957 but the U.S. quickly regained the trophy and held it until 1985. Getty Images
Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus shake hands at the end of their famous tied singles match at Royal Birkdale in 1969 -- leaving the overall match tied at 16-16 in a gripping encounter. Nicklaus conceded a tricky putt for Jacklin on the last green in a famous act of sportmanship. Getty Images
For the first time ever, the 1979 Ryder Cup found two Spaniards - Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido (4th and 3rd from right) - joining players from Great Britain and Ireland in competing against the United States. The match took place in West Virginia, where the home side triumphed again. Getty Images
European captain Jacklin harnessed the talent of Ballesteros as his team ended the United States' lengthy winning run during the 1980s. Getty Images
A tearful Ballesteros hugs arch-rival Nick Faldo after the Englishman scored a crucial victory over Curtis Strange as Europe won the 1995 match at Oak Hill. Getty Images
Golf legend Ballesteros captained Europe to a narrow victory over the Americans in 1997 as the match was held on Spanish soil for the first time at Valderrama. Getty Images
The agony of defeat: Bernhard Langer reacts after missing the putt which would have tied the match against the United States at Kiawah Island in 1991. Getty Images
Justin Leonard is hugged by his teammates after beating Jose Maria Olazabal at the infamous match at Brookline in 1999. Olazabal had yet to make his putt to keep their singles clash alive when the U.S. team dashed onto the 17th green. Getty Images
Boo Weekley's first fairway antics were a celebrated feature of the shock win for the United States over Europe at Valhalla in 2008. Getty Images
Graeme McDowell was the last-day hero of Europe's narrow victory at Celtic Manor two years ago and he will take his place at Medinah looking for a repeat. Getty Images
