Golf: Europe Captain: Mark James

Ryder Cup

Twenty years have passed since Mark James joined Ken Brown in a campaign of rebellious and anti-social behaviour at the 1979 Ryder Cup at the Greenbrier, and James has made the most of them. A wry, intelligent observer of golf and life, he has become one of the Tour's most respected figures. On paper, he has played 24 Ryder Cup matches and achieved eight wins. In reality, his easygoing nature and professionalism have been an integral part of team unity. Experienced and immune to stress, he is exactly the type of leader the green European team need.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Year US GB/Ire Venue

1927 91/2 21/2 Worcester, Massachusetts

1929 5 7 Moortown, Leeds

1931 9 3 Scioto, Columbus, Ohio

1933 51/2 61/2 Southport and Ainsdale

1935 9 3 Ridgewood, New Jersey

1937 8 4 Southport and Ainsdale

(1939-45 No matches, Second World War)

1947 11 1 Portland, Oregon

1949 7 5 Ganton, Yorkshire

1951 91/2 21/2 Pinehurst, North Carolina

1953 61/2 51/2 Wentworth, Surrey

1955 8 4 Thunderbird, California

1957 41/2 71/2 Lindrick, Nottinghamshire

1959 81/2 31/2 Eldorado, California

1961 141/2 91/2 Royal Lytham St Annes

1963 23 9 East Lake, Atlanta, Georgia

1965 191/2 121/2 Royal Birkdale, Lancashire

1967 231/2 81/2 Champions, Houston, Texas

1969 16 16 Royal Birkdale, Lancashire

1971 19 13 Old Warson, St Louis, Missouri

1973 19 13 Muirfield, Scotland

1975 21 11 Laurel Valley, Pennsylvania

1977 121/2 71/2 Royal Lytham St Annes

US Europe

1979 17 11 The Greenbrier, West Virginia

1981 181/2 91/2 Walton Heath, Surrey

1983 141/2 131/2 PGA National, Florida

1985 111/2 161/2 The Belfry, West Midlands

1987 13 15 Muirfield Village, Ohio

1989 14 14 The Belfry, West Midlands

1991 141/2 131/2 Kiawah Island, South Carolina

1993 15 13 The Belfry, West Midlands

1995 131/2 141/2 Oak Hill, Rochester, New York

1997 131/2 141/2 Valderrama, Spain

Total: US 23, GB/Europe 7, Drawn 2.