The 34th Ryder Cup Matches were held between 27–29 September 2002, on the Brabazon Course at The Belfry, Warwickshire, UK.
The European team won the competition by a margin of 15½ to 12½, the largest margin of victory in the Ryder Cup since the European team won 16½ to 11½ in 1985, also played at The Belfry.
Both teams were tied at 8 points going into the Sunday singles matches. Sam Torrance had put most of his best players out early while Curtis Strange had opted to do the opposite.
Momentum swung for Europe and after Phillip Price defeated Phil Mickelson 3 & 2, Europe needed ½ point for victory.
The decisive ½ point was secured by Paul McGinley in his match against Jim Furyk after he holed a 10 foot par putt on the 18th hole
Captain Sam Torrance opened the final-day singles matches with what he believed were his best seven players and got more support than he had imagined, as Europe scored a stunning 15.5 to 12.5 victory over the U.S. in the 34th Ryder Cup at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England.
Delayed one year by the terrorist attacks upon America, the Ryder Cup resumed with more dramatics.
Europe’s Paul McGinley made a 6-foot putt on the 18th hole to earn a halve against Jim Furyk, assuring Europe the 14.5 points it needed to claim the Cup.
Europe won the singles for only the sixth time in the 75-year history of the matches.
The final totals were the largest margin of victory in the Ryder Cup since Europe won, 16.5 to 11.5, in 1985 at The Belfry.
Europe now has won the trophy six of the last nine matches.
Phil Mickelson, the No. 2 player in the world and second-to-last in the lineup, missed an 18-inch putt early in his match and was routed by Phillip Price of Wales, ranked 119th in the world.
Tiger Woods, suffering from a high fever, never had a chance to contribute. He was on the 17th hole when the loudest roar of the week indicated the Ryder Cup was over. Colin Montgomerie, unbeaten in all five of his matches, led the way in singles by quickly dispatching Scott Hoch, 5 and 4.