Every two years, the Ryder Cup gives 12 players on two teams the chance to write their names into the sport's history books.
While winning a major championship is the goal of every professional golfer, the Ryder Cup gives players the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves, putting their 11 team mates as well as their country or continent above themselves.
Below we look at some of the greatest ever Ryder Cup players.
Greatest ever Ryder Cup players
Seve Ballesteros
Arguably no player made a bigger impact on the Ryder Cup to turn it into the global phenomenon that it is today than Seve Ballesteros.
Paving the way for Continental Europeans to join and ramping up the animosity with the Americans, Ballesteros won a remarkable 10.5 points from a possible 14 in foursomes matches, going on to win the Ryder Cup as a captain in 1997.
Colin Montgomerie
No European golfer ever played in eight Ryder Cup singles matches without losing, except for Colin Montgomerie. While he's also remembered as one of the best players to never win a major, Monty has the second best points record of any European to have played more than 10 Ryder Cup matches.
Ian Poulter
There's a case to be made that in the history of the competition, nobody has loved the Ryder Cup more than Ian Poulter.
Best remembered for his performance in 2008 as well as inspiring the 2012 Miracle at Medinah, Poulter defines Ryder Cup icon.
Sergio Garcia
While only two players have played more Ryder Cup matches, none have won more points than Sergio Garcia
Playing in 10 Ryder Cups, Garcia thrived in the team format, taking a remarkable 24 points from 35 matches.
Rory McIlroy
When looking at the best modern-day Ryder Cup players, most have tended to fall short on an individual level, making up for their struggles in major championships by stepping up for the biennial tournament.
Rory McIlroy, who initially said the Ryder Cup didn't mean anything to him, bucks that trend.
However his career ends, he'll be remembered as one of the greatest golfers of all time, and an indisputable Ryder Cup legend.
