Literally, the first name on this teamsheet, with more appearances and points than any other player in Ryder Cup history, picking Nick Faldo is a no brainer.
2. Colin Montgomerie (Europe)
EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Featuring on the European team eight times, Montgomerie has never lost a singles match at the Ryder Cup, and has an excellent overall record as well, leaving him just 1.5 points overall behind Faldo.
3. Arnold Palmer (US)
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Palmer was included on six Ryder Cup teams, thriving in particular in singles and never being on the losing team.
4. Jimmy Demaret (US)
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Not as high profile as some of the names on this list, Demaret played in three Ryder Cups, winning each time and being the only golfer to enjoy a 100% points percentage (from a minimum of three matches).
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5. Lee Trevino (US)
S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Sport
S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
A veteran of the Ryder Cup with six appearances in addition to serving as team captain, he remained unbeaten as a player and boasted a hugely impressive 17–7–6 (.667) record.
6. Ian Woosnam (Europe)
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EMPICS Sport
Appearing in eight Ryder Cups in a row between 1983 to 1997, Woosnam had an excellent overall record with the joint most fourball points won in the competition’s history.
7. Jack Nicklaus (US)
SMG / Press Association Images
SMG / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Unlike certain other incredibly talented individual golfers, Nicklaus invariably excelled at the Ryder Cup, featuring in the competition six times and earning the joint most points in a single contest.
8. Ian Poulter (Europe)
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EMPICS Sport
One of the younger players on this list, Poulter has represented Europe on five occasions including this year, winning three out of four times so far and standing out in 2012, as he won all four of his matches, thereby playing a key role in ‘The Miracle at Medinah’.
9. Seve Ballesteros (Europe)
S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Sport
S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
The late Ballesteros appeared in the Ryder Cup nine times including as captain, he was regarded as crucial in helping to end the US’ dominance and turning the tide in Europe’s favour during the mid-1980s.
10. Bernhard Langer (Europe)
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EMPICS Sport
The German appeared in an incredible 10 Ryder Cups, in addition to captaining Europe to victory in 2004. He also currently holds the record for most foursome points won.
11. José María Olazábal (Europe)
PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Captain of the team that launched a famous comeback in 2012, Olazábal also appeared in seven Ryder Cups as a player, forming a highly successful partnership with friend Seve Ballesteros and winning a record 12 points as a pairing in the process.
12. Sam Snead (US)
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Snead was picked on seven Ryder Cup teams, while also captaining the US team three times. His record, which includes an 80.8% points record, speaks for itself.
Captain: Tony Jacklin (Europe)
PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The most successful European Ryder Cup captain ever, undertaking the role on four consecutive occasions, Jacklin also secured his team’s first victory in 28 years in the competition in 1985 and their first-ever victory on US soil in 1987.
Do you agree with our Ryder Cup Dream Team?
1. Nick Faldo (Europe)
Literally, the first name on this teamsheet, with more appearances and points than any other player in Ryder Cup history, picking Nick Faldo is a no brainer.
2. Colin Montgomerie (Europe)
Featuring on the European team eight times, Montgomerie has never lost a singles match at the Ryder Cup, and has an excellent overall record as well, leaving him just 1.5 points overall behind Faldo.
3. Arnold Palmer (US)
Palmer was included on six Ryder Cup teams, thriving in particular in singles and never being on the losing team.
4. Jimmy Demaret (US)
Not as high profile as some of the names on this list, Demaret played in three Ryder Cups, winning each time and being the only golfer to enjoy a 100% points percentage (from a minimum of three matches).
5. Lee Trevino (US)
A veteran of the Ryder Cup with six appearances in addition to serving as team captain, he remained unbeaten as a player and boasted a hugely impressive 17–7–6 (.667) record.
6. Ian Woosnam (Europe)
Appearing in eight Ryder Cups in a row between 1983 to 1997, Woosnam had an excellent overall record with the joint most fourball points won in the competition’s history.
7. Jack Nicklaus (US)
Unlike certain other incredibly talented individual golfers, Nicklaus invariably excelled at the Ryder Cup, featuring in the competition six times and earning the joint most points in a single contest.
8. Ian Poulter (Europe)
One of the younger players on this list, Poulter has represented Europe on five occasions including this year, winning three out of four times so far and standing out in 2012, as he won all four of his matches, thereby playing a key role in ‘The Miracle at Medinah’.
9. Seve Ballesteros (Europe)
The late Ballesteros appeared in the Ryder Cup nine times including as captain, he was regarded as crucial in helping to end the US’ dominance and turning the tide in Europe’s favour during the mid-1980s.
10. Bernhard Langer (Europe)
The German appeared in an incredible 10 Ryder Cups, in addition to captaining Europe to victory in 2004. He also currently holds the record for most foursome points won.
11. José María Olazábal (Europe)
Captain of the team that launched a famous comeback in 2012, Olazábal also appeared in seven Ryder Cups as a player, forming a highly successful partnership with friend Seve Ballesteros and winning a record 12 points as a pairing in the process.
12. Sam Snead (US)
Snead was picked on seven Ryder Cup teams, while also captaining the US team three times. His record, which includes an 80.8% points record, speaks for itself.
Captain: Tony Jacklin (Europe)
The most successful European Ryder Cup captain ever, undertaking the role on four consecutive occasions, Jacklin also secured his team’s first victory in 28 years in the competition in 1985 and their first-ever victory on US soil in 1987.
Who would be in your Ryder Cup Dream Team?
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Bernhard Langer dream team Ian Poulter Jack Nicklaus Jose Maria Olazabal Legends Ryder Cup 2014 Seve Ballesteros