Who are the best (and worst) Ryder Cup captain’s picks of all time?

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The Ryder Cup captain’s picks is one of the hottest topics in the game – and we get to do it every other year. Lucky us.

But how long have the skippers been allowed to put the final touches to their teams? And who has the best record as a wildcard? Let’s take a deep dive on the stats and the controversies surrounding one of golf’s most divisive debates…

• Listen to the team discuss the 2023 Ryder Cup picks on The bunkered Podcast

1979

For the first 50-or-so years, all Ryder Cup teams were decided by a qualification process. That changed in 1979 when, as well as extending the competition to include continental Europeans, the European Tour decided that the automatic qualifiers would be reduced to ten, with the remaining two selected by a committee for the clash at The Greenbrier. The less said about it the better, though…

Des Smyth
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 0 points (0-2-0)

Peter Oosterhuis
Previous Ryder Cup record: 13.5 points (12-6-3)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

USA won 17-11

1981

Walton Heath was forced to step in as a last-minute host for the ’81 showdown. Not that it mattered much, as the US romped to victory yet again. There was a small glimmer of hope, though, that the wildcard picks plan was working, as Mark James top-scored for Europe.

Mark James
Previous Ryder Cup record: 0.5 points (0-4-1)
Contribution: 2 points (2-3-0)

Peter Oosterhuis
Previous Ryder Cup record: 15.5 points (14-8-3)
Contribution: 0 points (0-3-0)

USA won 18½-9½

1985

There were no wildcard picks at PGA National in ’83, but Tony Jacklin – who else? – decided to bring it back for the first of his four stints as captain. Only this time, it would be him that picked them, and he wanted three. There was controversy immediately, as Christy O’Connor Jr, who had missed out on an automatic qualifying spot by one place and just £116, was left at home. The three picks contributed just two points between them, but it didn’t matter as Europe would go on to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1957.

Tony Jacklin’s captain’s picks:

Jose Rivero
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (1-1-0)

Ken Brown
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3 points (3-5-0)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Nick Faldo
Previous Ryder Cup record: 11 points (11-4-0)
Contribution: 0 points (0-2-0)

Europe won 16½-11½

1987

Muirfield Village will always be remembered as Europe’s first win on American soil. But it was also the birthplace of the Ryder Cup’s most successful partnership. The swashbuckling Spaniards won three of their four pairs matches, while Sandy Lyle also chipped in with three vital points.

Tony Jacklin’s captain’s picks:

Jose Maria Olazabal
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 3 points (3-2-0)

Sandy Lyle
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5 points (4-8-2)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Ken Brown
Previous Ryder Cup record: 4 points (4-7-0)
Contribution: 0 points (0-2-0)

Europe won 15-13

1989

Back to The Belfry and now both captains are awarded the luxury of taking their own picks. The US team opt for just two, but it’s not a classic and the five selections return just six-and-a-half points between them in what remains the Ryder Cup’s most recent tie.

Tony Jacklin’s captain’s picks:

Bernhard Langer
Previous Ryder Cup record: 12 points (10-5-4)
Contribution: 0 points (0-3-0)

Christy O’Connor Jr
Previous Ryder Cup record: 0 points (0-2-0)
Contribution: 1 point (1-1-0)

Howard Clark
Previous Ryder Cup record: 4.5 points (4-4-1)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Raymond Floyd’s captain’s picks:

Tom Watson
Previous Ryder Cup record: 9 points (9-3-0)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-1-1)

Lanny Wadkins
Previous Ryder Cup record: 13.5 points (13-7-1)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Match tied 14-14

1991

The famous War on the Shore at Kiawah Island and Jose Maria Olazabal once again needed a pick, and he once again proved to be the right choice, with only Seve Ballesteros outscoring him in one of the more controversial Ryder Cups ever played.

Dave Stockton’s captain’s picks:

Chip Beck
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3.5 points (3-0-1)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Raymond Floyd
Previous Ryder Cup record: 8.5 points (7-13-3)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Bernard Gallacher’s captain’s picks:

Jose Maria Olazabal
Previous Ryder Cup record: 7.5 points (7-2-1)
Contribution: 3.5 points (3-1-1)

Nick Faldo
Previous Ryder Cup record: 17 points (16-9-2)
Contribution: 1 point (1-3-0)

Mark James
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5.5 points (5-8-1)
Contribution: 2 points (2-3-0)

USA won 14½-13½

1993

No surprises from Bernard Gallacher as the Ryder Cup returned to The Belfry for a third time. Joakim Haeggman finished tenth in qualification standings, while Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros – 12th and 38th respectively – were given another chance to pair up. They were, however, outshone by the two American picks, as the visitors took the cup home with them.

Bernard Gallacher’s captain’s picks:

Joakim Haeggman
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (1-1-0)

Jose Maria Olazabal
Previous Ryder Cup record: 11 points (10-3-2)
Contribution: 2 points (2-3-0)

Seve Ballesteros
Previous Ryder Cup record: 19.5 points (17-8-5)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Tom Watson’s captain’s picks:

Raymond Floyd
Previous Ryder Cup record: 10.5 points (9-15-3)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Lanny Wadkins
Previous Ryder Cup record: 19 points (18-10-2)
Contribution: 2.5 points (2-1-1)

USA won 15-13

1995

The world was denied one last glimpse of Seve and Ollie together at Oak Hill when the latter was forced to pull out due to a foot injury. Ian Woosnam stepped in and Europe pinched it by a point.

Lanny Wadkins’ captain’s picks:

Curtis Strange
Previous Ryder Cup record: 7 points (6-9-2)
Contribution: 0 points (0-3-0)

Fred Couples
Previous Ryder Cup record: 4.5 points (3-6-3)
Contribution: 2.5 points (2-1-1)

Bernard Gallacher’s captain’s picks:

Nick Faldo
Previous Ryder Cup record: 20 points (19-13-4)
Contribution: 2 points (2-3-0)

Ian Woosnam
Previous Ryder Cup record: 13 points (12-10-4)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-1-1)

Europe won 14½-13½

1997

There was plenty of drama before Seve Ballesteros had led his side out at Valderrama in his homeland for the first Ryder Cup on the continent. Miguel Angel Martin finished in the final qualifying spot, but had not played for two months due to injury. Ballesteros handed his compatriot an ultimatum – play 18 holes the next day to prove he was fit or get bumped for Jose Maria Olazabal. He refused and Olazabal was in. No kerfuffles for Tom Kite, who quietly selected Lee Janzen and Fred Couples and all four picks returned two points in an emotional home win.

Seve Ballesteros’ captain’s picks:

Nick Faldo
Previous Ryder Cup record: 23 points (21-16-4)
Contribution: 2 points (2-3-0)

Jesper Parnevik
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
2 points (1-1-2)

Tom Kite’s captain’s picks:

Lee Janzen
Previous Ryder Cup record: 0 points (0-2-0)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Fred Couples
Previous Ryder Cup record: 7 points (5-7-4)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Europe won 14½-13½

• Which player has the most points for Europe in the Ryder Cup?

1999

Who can forget the Battle of Brookline? The European team would probably like to – most notably Andrew Coltart, who went to New York, played and lost in the singles to Tiger Woods, then came home. Still, at least he didn’t have to wear that shirt…

Ben Crenshaw’s captain’s picks:

Tom Lehman
Previous Ryder Cup record: 4 points (3-2-2)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Steve Pate
Previous Ryder Cup record: 0.5 points (0-1-1)
2 points (2-1-0)

Mark James’ captain’s picks:

Andrew Coltart
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 0 points (0-1-0)

Jesper Parnevik
Previous Ryder Cup record: 1.5 points (1-1-2)
Contribution: 3.5 points (3-1-1)

USA won 14½-13½

2002

A fourth and final time hosting for The Belfry and it was Sergio Garcia – who top-scored on his debut three years previously – who impressed again as the hosts gained their revenge.

Sam Torrance’s captain’s picks:

Sergio Garcia
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3.5 points (3-1-1)
Contribution: 3 points (3-2-0)

Jesper Parnevik
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5.5 points (4-2-3)
Contribution: 0.5 points (0-1-1)

Curtis Strange’s captain’s picks:

Scott Verplank
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Paul Azinger
Previous Ryder Cup record: 6 points (5-7-2)
Contribution: 0.5 points (0-1-1)

Europe won 15½-13½

2004

Jay Haas, at 50, is the oldest captain’s pick ever in a USA team that travels to Oakland Hills with an average age of 37. They are hammered by a European team averaging five years younger and it forces the Americans to start rethinking their entire selection policy.

Hal Sutton’s captain’s picks:

Jay Haas
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3.5 points (3-4-1)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-2-1)

Stewart Cink
Previous Ryder Cup record: 1 point (1-2-0)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-2-1)

Bernhard Langer’s captain’s picks:

Luke Donald
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2.5 points (2-1-1)

Colin Montgomerie
Previous Ryder Cup record: 18.5 points  (16-7-5)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Europe won 18½-9½

2006

How can you not be moved by the emotional scenes on the first tee at The K Club as Darren Clarke, just weeks after wife Heather passed away, smashed one down the opening hole on his way to taking three from three in a second straight nine-point victory for the Europeans? Ian Woosnam’s other choice, Lee Westwood, becomes the first captain’s pick to return four points.

Ian Woosnam’s captain’s picks:

Darren Clarke
Previous Ryder Cup record: 8.5 points (7-7-3)
Contribution: 3 points (3-0-0)

Lee Westwood
Previous Ryder Cup record: 11.5 points (11-8-1)
Contribution: 4 points (3-0-2)

Tom Lehman’s captain’s picks:

Stewart Cink
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2.5 points (2-4-1)
Contribution: 2.5 points (1-1-3)

Scott Verplank
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2 points (2-1-0)
Contribution: 2 points (2-0-0)

Europe won 18½-9½

2008

Valhalla is next up and captain Paul Azinger is ready to shake things up. He wants four captain’s picks – the most of any so far. The quartet repay his faith by returning more than half of the team’s total in a solid victory for the Americans. Ian Poulter’s four points aren’t enough to salvage anything from what was a disastrous regime from Nick Faldo.

Paul Azinger’s captain’s picks:

Steve Stricker
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 0.5 points (0-2-1)

Hunter Mahan
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 3.5 points (2-0-3)

JB Holmes
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2.5 points (2-0-1)

Chad Campbell
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2 points (1-3-2)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Nick Faldo’s captain’s picks:

Ian Poulter
Previous Ryder Cup record: 1 point (1-1-0)
Contribution: 4 points (4-1-0)

Paul Casey
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3.5 points (3-1-2)
Contribution: 1 point (0-1-2)

USA won 16½-11½

2010

Colin Montgomerie returned to three picks at Celtic Manor and used one of them to give the fans what they wanted, picking rookie Edoardo Molinari to play alongside his brother Francesco. While that didn’t quite pay off, his selection of Luke Donald did. As for the Americans, it was the first time Tiger Woods had required a pick, and he returned three points for captain Corey Pavin’s faith – though it ultimately proved one short.

Colin Montgomerie’s captain’s picks:

Edoardo Molinari
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (0-1-2)

Luke Donald
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5.5 points (5-1-1)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Padraig Harrington
Previous Ryder Cup record: 8.5 points (7-11-3)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Corey Pavin’s captain’s picks:

Zach Johnson
Previous Ryder Cup record: 1.5 points (1-2-1)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Tiger Woods
Previous Ryder Cup record: 11 points (10-13-2)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Stewart Cink
Previous Ryder Cup record: 6 points (4-7-4)
Contribution: 2.5 points (1-0-3)

Rickie Fowler
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 points (0-1-2)

Europe won 14½-13½

• Which Ryder Cup team has the most victories?

2012

Ah, the Miracle of Medinah. What a week to be a European golf fan. Jose Maria Olazabal wanted just two picks, and essentially just took the top two who failed to get in automatically. Ian Poulter once again returned four points, while on the American side, only Dustin Johnson prevented Davis Love’s selections being a complete disaster.

Davis Love III’s captain’s picks:

Steve Stricker
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3.5 points (3-3-1)
Contribution: 0 points (0-4-0)

Jim Furyk
Previous Ryder Cup record: 10 points (8-15-4)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Brandt Snedeker
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Dustin Johnson
Previous Ryder Cup record: 1 point (1-3-0)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Jose Maria Olazabal’s captain’s picks:

Nicolas Colsaerts
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (1-3-0)

Ian Poulter
Previous Ryder Cup record: 8 points (8-3-0)
Contribution: 4 points (4-0-0)

Europe won 14½-13½

2014

Lee Westwood, who had finished way down the standings, was perhaps the only controversial choice for Paul McGinley at Gleneagles, but the Englishman ended up being the top scorer of the six captain’s picks.

Paul McGinley’s captain’s picks:

Stephen Gallacher
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 0 points (0-2-0)

Ian Poulter
Previous Ryder Cup record: 12 points (12-3-0)
Contribution: 1 point (0-1-2)

Lee Westwood
Previous Ryder Cup record: 21 points (18-13-6)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Tom Watson’s captain’s picks:

Keegan Bradley
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3 points (3-1-0)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Webb Simpson
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2 points (2-2-0)
Contribution: 0.5 points (0-1-1)

Hunter Mahan
Previous Ryder Cup record: 4.5 points (3-2-3)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-2-1)

Europe won 16½-11½

2016

A bit more luck for Davis Love in his second stint as skipper, with his four picks returning seven of the 17 points his side earned at Hazeltine. Thomas Pieters’ four-from-five spared a few blushes for Darren Clarke, whose side were comprehensively beaten.

Davis Love III’s captain’s picks:

JB Holmes
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2.5 points (2-0-1)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Rickie Fowler
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2.5 points (0-3-5)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Matt Kuchar
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5 points (4-5-2)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Ryan Moore
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Darren Clarke’s captain’s picks:

Lee Westwood
Previous Ryder Cup record: 23 points (20-15-6)
Contribution: 0 points (0-3-0)

Martin Kaymer
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5.5 points (4-3-3)
Contribution: 1 point (1-3-0)

Thomas Pieters
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 4 points (4-1-0)

USA won 17-11

2018

Thomas Bjorn decided he wanted to match his American counterpart Jim Furyk and take four picks to Le Golf National – and it was somewhat controversial, with the likes of Russell Knox, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Eddie Pepperell ignored for the much lower ranked Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson. Bjorn had the last laugh, as his wildcards returned a whopping nine-and-a-half points. The less said about Furyk’s choices, the better…

Thomas Bjorn’s captain’s picks:

Paul Casey
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5 points (3-2-4)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-1-1)

Sergio Garcia
Previous Ryder Cup record: 22.5 points (19-11-7)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Ian Poulter
Previous Ryder Cup record: 13 points (12-4-2)
Contribution: 2 points (2-2-0)

Henrik Stenson
Previous Ryder Cup record: 8 points (7-7-2)
Contribution: 3 points (3-0-0)

Jim Furyk’s captain’s picks:

Bryson DeChambeau
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 0 points (0-3-0)

Phil Mickelson
Previous Ryder Cup record: 21.5 points (18-20-7)
Contribution: 0 points (0-2-0)

Tiger Woods
Previous Ryder Cup record: 14.5 points (13-17-3)
Contribution: 0 points (0-4-0)

Tony Finau
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2 points (2-1-0)

Europe won 17½-10½

2021

With the Covid pandemic not only delaying the Ryder Cup by a year but disrupting the qualification process altogether, Steve Stricker decided he wanted to select half his team for Whistling Straits – and let’s just say he was much better at choosing captain’s picks than he was being one. Padraig Harrington, meanwhile, declared that he didn’t like the added pressure and took his number back down to three. As it turned out, Stricker could have pulled six guys off the street and the Americans would have got over the line in what ended up being a record margin of victory.

Steve Stricker’s captain’s picks:

Tony Finau
Previous Ryder Cup record: 2 points (2-1-0)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Xander Schauffele
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Jordan Spieth
Previous Ryder Cup record: 8 points (7-5-2)
Contribution: 1.5 points (1-2-1)

Harris English
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Daniel Berger
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2 points 2-1-0)

Scottie Scheffler
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 2.5 points (2-0-1)

Padraig Harrington’s captain’s picks:

Shane Lowry
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

Sergio Garcia
Previous Ryder Cup record: 25.5 points (22-12-7)
Contribution: 3 points (3-1-0)

Ian Poulter
Previous Ryder Cup record: 15 points (14-6-2)
Contribution: 1 point (1-2-0)

USA won 19-9

2023

Hopes that the ludicrous number of captain’s picks would be reduced back to a sensible number at Marco Simone were immediately dashed when Luke Donald decided he would also like six. “Six picks gives me flexibility to ensure we have the strongest line-up in terms of in-form players, players with Ryder Cup experience, and potential pairings,” the Englishman said.

Luke Donald’s captain’s picks:

Ludvig Aberg
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)

Tommy Fleetwood
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5 points (4-2-2)

Nicolai Hojgaard
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)

Shane Lowry
Previous Ryder Cup record: 1 point (1-2-0)

Justin Rose
Previous Ryder Cup record: 14 points (13-8-2)

Sepp Straka
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)

Zach Johnson’s captain’s picks:

Sam Burns
Previous Ryder Cup record: N/A (rookie)

Rickie Fowler
Previous Ryder Cup record: 5.5 points (3-7-5)

Brooks Koepka
Previous Ryder Cup record: 6.5 points (6-5-1)

Collin Morikawa
Previous Ryder Cup record: 3.5 points (3-0-1)

Jordan Spieth
Previous Ryder Cup record: 9.5 points (8-7-3)

Justin Thomas
Previous Ryder Cup record: 6.5 points (6-2-1)

Notable captain’s picks records

Most times as a European captain’s pick: 5 – Ian Poulter (2008, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021)

Most times as an American captain’s pick: 3 – Stewart Cink (2004, 2006, 2010)

Most points returned by a European captain’s pick in a single Ryder Cup: 4 – Lee Westwood (2006), Ian Poulter (2008, 2012), Thomas Pieters (2016)

Most points returned by an American captain’s pick in a single Ryder Cup: 3.5 – Hunter Mahan (2008)

Most points returned by a European captain’s pick in total: 12 – Ian Poulter (5 appearances)

Most points returned by an American captain’s pick in total: 6.5 – Stewart Cink (3 appearances)

Fewest points returned by a captain’s pick: 0 – Des Smyth (1979), Bernhard Langer (1989), Curtis Strange (1995), Andrew Coltart (1999), Stephen Gallacher (2014), Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson (both 2018)

Best average points return from a player picked multiple times: 3 – Sergio Garcia (3 points in 2002, 2018 and 2021)

Full Ryder Cup captain’s picks record

So, who was the best Ryder Cup captain’s pick of all time? Here’s the full rundown, ordered by those who delivered the best points average from their appearances…

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