The 39th Ryder Cup took place September 28-30, 2012 at Medinah Country Club , Illinois , USA . The European champions were able to defend the cup with a result of 14½: 13½ points. This victory achieved particular significance due to the fact that the Europeans were able to catch up four points behind the favored US Americans in the final individual matches. This was the first time in Ryder Cup history that a team had achieved this in an away game. On the European side, this has since been known as the " Miracle of Medinah " (the miracle of Medinah).
The "Medinah Country Club" is located in a suburb around 40 km northwest of the metropolis of Chicago and has a total of three 18-hole courses. The 28 games of the Ryder Cup encounter were all played on the 7000 m long "Course 3". The club has hosted the US Open three times (1949, 1975, 1990) and the PGA Championship twice (1999 and 2006).
The Spaniard José María Olazábal represented Europe as captain, also for the first time. He nominated Nicolas Colsaerts and Ian Poulter for the five best golfers on the European and the World Money List with a “Captains Pick”. He also agreed with US Captain Love that, contrary to the usual two, up to four Vice-Captains could be nominated; as these acted for Europe: Miguel Ángel Jiménez , Thomas Björn , Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley .
(C) = Captain (non Playing) (CP) = Captain Pick / Wildcard No. B = team appointments as players (incl. 2012; (X) number of "non playing" captain appointments)
Game results mode
A total of 28 games took place in matchplay mode. Four foursomes each on Friday and Saturday morning, and four fourball games each in the afternoon . Traditionally, twelve individual matches were held on the final day.