All eyes are on Rome on Friday as the 44th Ryder Cup tees off in the morning. With its dramatic vistas and and glorious weather, the Italian capital is sure to host a competition which will live long in the memory.
But much has changed over the years since the Ryder Cup first took place at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts, in 1927.
The first 23 editions were played between Great Britain and the USA – GB became Team Europe in 1979 – with the Americans winning all but three in this era.
The Europeans have had the advantage since, winning 11 to the USA’s eight.
What better way to look back on the competition’s glorious history than by poring over these fantastic images from the Daily Mail archive?
Teeing off: Peter Aliss (centre), who would become a brilliant commentator, admires his shot as the crowd watches on
Running commentary: Team Europe captain Tony Jacklin checks the scores on his mini TV
Rich history: donor of the cup Samuel Ryder with golfers Walter Hagan (left) and George Duncan (right)
Rich history: Hagan selects his club
Wives of American Ryder Cup team: (from left, back row) Nancy Souchak, Jean Wall, Winnie Palmer, Lucille Barber, Gene Littler, Mrs Bill Collins, Linda Finsterwald, and Shirley Casper
All-star cast: European heavyweights Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal (middle row) watch the action in 1991 at Kiawah Island
Danger in the water: two fans snap a photo of an alligator
To buy any of these brilliant pictures from Mail Sport’s archive, visit The Northcliffe Collection.