Which players have scored the most points in the Ryder Cup?

1. Sergio Garcia

Appearances: 10 (1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021)
Record: 25-13-7
Points: 28.5

Not only is Sergio Garcia the highest points scorer, but he is also the youngest player ever to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup. He was just 19 years and 258 days old when he featured in the infamous 1999 match at Brookline. He has since gone on to make 10 appearances and his record speaks for itself.

2. Nick Faldo

Appearances: 11 (1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997)
Record: 23-19-4
Points: 25

Nick Faldo made one more appearance than Garcia and previously held the record for the most points picked up until the Spaniard eclipsed him in 2018 at Le Golf National.

The Englishman was a match play monster in his pomp.

T3. Bernhard Langer

Appearances: 10 (1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2002)
Record: 21-15-6
Points: 24

Longevity is in the genes of Germany’s Bernhard Langer. Making 10 appearances in a 21-year stint, Langer’s contribution was absolutely vital in the European revival that began in the mid-1980s.

T3. Lee Westwood

Appearances: 11 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021)
Record: 21-20-6
Points: 24

Tied on points with Langer is Lee Westwood. Like Faldo, Westwood has taken part in 11 Ryder Cups, including 10 in a row from 1997. During that time, he was part of a golden generation of European domination.

5. Colin Montgomerie

Appearances: 8 (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006)
Record: 20-9-7
Points: 23.5

Such was the reputation of Colin Montgomerie, he was known as “Mr Ryder Cup”. Although he fell agonisingly short in majors, his pedigree in the biennial event could never be questioned. In particular, he was a beast in singles and was undefeated over the format in eight appearances.

6. Seve Ballesteros

Appearances: 8 (1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995)
Record: 20-12-5
Points: 22.5

The heavy hitters keep on coming. Few players in history have ever been as hell bent on winning the Ryder Cup as Seve Ballesteros. The stories about the charismatic Spaniard are legendary and plentiful, and his ability in the heat of battle was almost unmatched. He formed an iconic partnership with Jose Maria Olazabal, the pair winning 11 of their 15 matches together.

7. Jose Maria Olazabal

Appearances: 7 (1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2006)
Record: 18-8-5
Points: 20.5

Speaking of Jose Maria Olazabal, he was another crucial cog in the European wheel over a near 20-year period and boasts an incredible record. He was also the captain for arguably Europe’s most incredible Ryder Cup victory at Medinah in 2012.

8. Rory McIlroy

Appearances: 7 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Record: 16-13-4
Points: 18

Where has the time gone? It seems like not so long ago a fresh-faced Rory McIlory was making his Ryder Cup debut at a rain-soaked Celtic Manor; now, he has racked up seven appearances and counting. The Northern Irishman is now Europe’s talisman and moved inside the top 10 of this list after winning four points from five in Rome in 2023 which saw him move up to 8th and knock Ian Poulter out the top 10.

9. Tony Jacklin

Appearances: 7 (1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979)
Record: 13-14-8
Points: 17

A legendary figure in British and European golf, Tony Jacklin was a formidable foe to the Americans in the 1960s and ‘70s. Despite his strong showings, Jacklin never won a Ryder Cup as a player but did taste success as a captain. In four successive stints at the helm, Jacklin led Europe to two victories and one tie, including a first win in America.

10. Ian Woosnam

Appearances: 8 (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993 1995, 1997)
Record: 14-12-5
Points: 16.5

Rounding out the list is Wales’ Ian Woosnam. Woosie’s short frame was in contrast to his immense ability and will to win, and he was another who was instrumental in transforming Europe’s fortunes.

1. Billy Casper

Appearances: 8 (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975)
Record: 20-10-7
Points: 23.5

The three-time major winner holds the record for the most points scored in the Ryder Cup by a US player, a total he amassed in eight consecutive contests from 1961 to 1975. Casper also led Team USA to victory in 1979 as a non-playing captain.

2. Arnold Palmer

Appearances: 6 (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1973)
Record: 22-8-2
Points: 23

The King was also a force to be reckoned with when it came to the Ryder Cup. He also captained the US twice: first as a playing captain in 1963 and then again in 1975. America won all seven of the Ryder Cups he was involved in as a player or captain.

T3. Phil Mickelson

Appearances: 12 (1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
Record: 18-22-7
Points: 21.5

A veteran of 12 matches – the most of any American player – Phil Mickelson always brought added flair to the Ryder Cup. Although he lost more than he won, he still contributed a lot of points for his country.

T3. Lanny Wadkins

Appearances: 8 (1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993)
Record: 20-11-3
Points: 21.5

Lanny Wadkins played in eight Ryder Cups for America to tie Billy Casper at the time and picked up 21.5 points along the way. He was on five winning teams as a player but captained a US loss in 1995.

5. Lee Trevino

Appearances: 6 (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1981)
Record: 17-7-6
Points: 20

In his pomp, Lee Trevino was as good a ball-striker as you could have found and thrived under the pressure of competing in the Ryder Cup. His shot at captaincy at The Belfry in 1985 ended in defeat, though.

6. Gene Littler

Appearances: 7 (1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1975)
Record: 14-5-8
Points: 18

Known for his remarkable consistency, Gene Littler only lost five of his 27 matches in seven Ryder Cup appearances. The 29-time PGA Tour winner was part of six triumphant US sides, the outlier being the famous 16-16 tie in 1969.

7. Jack Nicklaus

Appearances: 6 (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981)
Record: 16-8-3
Points: 17.5

Although Jack Nicklaus won majors spanning the years from 1962 to 1986, he only featured in six Ryder Cups as a player. However, from those, he was part of five victorious teams, contributing 17.5 points from a possible 27. He was also responsible for what is held up as one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship in golf’s history when he conceded Tony Jacklin’s three-footer on the last at Royal Birkdale in 1969, which resulted in the match finishing in a draw.

8. Tom Kite

Appearances: 7 (1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993)
Record: 15-9-4
Points: 17

Tom Kite sneaks in at No. 10 but that is not to downplay his Ryder Cup record. He won more than half of the matches he played in during what was an incredibly competitive time in the event’s history. Like Monty, Kite was undefeated in singles, earning five wins and two halves, which included an 8&7 victory over Howard Clark.

9. Tiger Woods

Appearances: 8 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2018)
Record: 13-21-3
Points: 14.5

Tiger Woods largely has a poor record in the Ryder Cup – losing almost 60% of his matches in the competition – but his 13 wins and three ties are enough to sneak him into the USA’s all-time top 10.

10. Hale Irwin

Appearances: 5
Record: 13-5-2
Points: 14

It was all about timing for Hale Irwin, who played in the United States’ period of domination through the late ’70s and early ’80s, before returning in 1991 to be part of the team that won the War on the Shore to wrestle the trophy off a European team that, at that point, had held it for six years.