Many of the best players in the world take part in the Ryder Cup and here we look at the youngest to have played in the biennial team event.
The Ryder Cup is now well and truly established as one of the greatest sporting events in the world.
The biennial team event between Europe and the United States brings golf’s megastars together for a three-day event that is unmatched in the game.
Europe will be defending the trophy they won back from the USA at Marco Simone Golf Club in 2023 when they head to Bethpage Black in New York in September.
Ahead of the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, we have delved into the archives to pinpoint the 10 youngest players who have been part of this prestigious event.
The youngest players in Ryder Cup history
10. Anthony Kim (USA) – Age: 23 years, 3 months, 0 days
The USA’s Anthony Kim played his sole Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky under Paul Azinger as the home side crushed Nick Faldo’s European side 16½ to 11½.
Kim paired with Phil Mickelson on day one for a half in the foursomes against Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson before they defeated the three-time Major winner and Graeme McDowell in the afternoon fourballs. His highlight arrived on Sunday with a 5&4 demolition as Azinger sent him out first to defeat Sergio Garcia in the singles.
9. Rickie Fowler (USA) – 21 years 9 months 18 days
Rickie Fowler debuted for the USA under Corey Pavin at Celtic Manor in 2010 as Europe won a rain-delayed Monday finish in one of the most tense renewals on European soil.
Fowler earned a half with Jim Furyk in foursomes against Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer and another in singles against Edoardo Molinari but Europe claimed a dramatic win.
8. Tiger Woods (USA) – 21 years 8 months 27 days
The GOAT, winner of 15 Major championships and quite possibly the best golfer most of us have ever seen.
Tiger Woods debuted in 1997 under Tom Kite at Valderrama as Seve Ballesteros led the hosts to an emotionally charged win, 14½ to 13½.
A 3&2 win over Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer with Mark O’Meara in the Friday four-balls was a false dawn as Tiger managed just another half-point from four attempts, losing his singles to Costantino Rocca.
7. Jordan Spieth (USA) – 21 years 1 month 30 days
Spieth was the Rookie of the Year on the PGA Tour in 2013 and debuted in the Ryder Cup a year later at Gleneagles, some seven months before his Masters win at Augusta.
He formed a stellar alliance with Patrick Reed, taking 2½ points from three and taking out Ian Poulter in the opening fourballs, but he was beaten by McDowell in the singles as Paul McGinley’s side earned a dominant win over Tom Watson’s US team – who failed to spare the iconic captain in the aftermath.
6. Horton Smith (USA) – 20 years 11 months 4 days
Horton Smith was one of two US rookies that travelled to Moortown Golf Club in Leeds to face Great Britain and Ireland in 1929 in just the second ever Ryder Cup.
Walter Hagan’s side lost 7-5 to the hosts, with Smith a victor by 4&2 against Fred Robson in singles play. He’d go on to win the Masters twice at Augusta in the following decade.
5. Ken Brown (Europe) – 20 years, 8 months 6 days
Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club was the venue in 1977 when Ken Brown debuted at the Ryder Cup.
GB&I were beaten 12½ to 7½ and Brown featured only once, going down alongside Mark James in a four-ball match against Hale Irwin and Lou Graham.
Brown would later play in four more Ryder Cups and was on the victorious sides at The Belfry in 1985 and Muirfield Village in 1987 after continental Europe joined the party. He then forged a second career as one of the most recognisable voices in the game of golf.
4. Bernard Gallacher (Europe) – 20 years, 3 months, and 7 days
Bernard Gallacher joined the Ryder Cup scene in 1969 at Royal Birkdale as GB&I played out a stunning 16-16 tie, though the US retained the cup.
He won his first foursomes game alongside Maurice Bembridge against Lee Trevino and Ken Still, but Trevino had revenge in the afternoon alongside Gene Littler.
Gallacher and Trevino were paired again in the singles and the Scot won 4&3. Famously, the cup ended level for the first time when Jack Nicklaus conceded a three-footer to Tony Jacklin on the final green in the last match, the American great suggesting he didn’t want his friend to have a chance to miss such a key putt.
3. Paul Way (Europe) – 20 years, 6 months, and 17 days
Palm Beach Gardens in Florida was the scene for the 1983 matches as the USA triumphed 14½ to 13½ at PGA National.
England’s Paul Way was one of four rookies for skipper Tony Jacklin, with Ian Woosnam included. The former teamed up with Seve Ballesteros to win 2½ points from four and he defeated Curtis Strange 2&1 in the singles but it wasn’t enough as Tom Watson beat Gallacher to secure the win for the hosts.
2. Nick Faldo (Europe) – 20 years, 1 month, and 28 days
Six-time Major winner Nick Faldo made his Ryder Cup debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1977 as the US domination of GB&I was at its height.
As a rookie, Faldo won all three of his matches, including a win over Jack Nicklaus and an astonishing singles victory over Tom Watson.
He would go onto represent Europe as a player 11 times, winning 25 points, through until the win at Valderrama in 1997 and would captain the team in 2008 in defeat at Valhalla Golf Club.
1. Sergio Garcia (Europe) – 19 years 8 months and 15 days
Sergio Garcia holds the distinction of being the only teenager to play for either side. He debuted at Brookline in 1999 in one of Europe’s most painful losses, but it hasn’t stopped him making history as the all-time Ryder Cup points leader with 28.5 points after his most recent appearance at Whistling Straits in 2021.
