A look back at the Ryder Cup's history in mainland Europe

Italy will host the 2022 Ryder Cup, meaning the tournament will be played in mainland Europe for only the third time in its history.

The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Rome beat off venues in Germany, Italy and Austria to host the tournament, joining Spain and France as the only countries on the continent to do so.

With France not becoming a Ryder Cup host until 2018, when Le Golf National will be the venue, the only other occasion Europe has hosted the tournament outside of the UK and Ireland has been in 1997, when Seve Ballesteros captain the side on home soil.

Europe came in to the event looking to defend the trophy for only the second time in the tournament's history following their victory at Oak Hill two years earlier, and did just that after a 14½-13½ victory at Valderrama Golf Club.

Ballesteros' side, with Lee Westwood one of five Ryder Cup rookies, shared the Friday morning fourballs but edged in to a first day lead after winning 2.5 points in the afternoon foursomes.

Jose Maria Olazabal, who had controversially been included after Miguel Angel Martin was deselected over fitness issues, was part of the only home foursome to be beaten on the Friday but was unbeaten on a Saturday where Europe took control.

The hosts took extended their lead by three points during the second round of fourballs and went in to the Sunday singles with a five point advantage after the USA managed only one win the foursomes.

American rookie Tiger Woods was surprisingly beaten by one-time Open Championship runner-up Constantin Rocca early in the singles, but big wins for Fred Couples, Tom Lehman and Mark O'Meara appeared to give the visitors the momentum.

Thomas Bjorn recovered from being four holes down to earn a half against Justin Leonard, while wins for Per-Ulrik Johansson and Bernhard Langer meant Europe still had a slender advantage going in to the final singles clash.

Colin Montgomerie was all-square with Scott Hoch heading to the last and secured the half point needed for home victory with a par at the 18th.

The future

Following next autumn's event at Hazeltine, the tournament will return to Europe in 2018 with France's Le Golf National the venue.

The Albatros course outside of Paris, which has hosted the Open de France for a number of years, outbid Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands to host the bi-annual event. 

After a trip to Whistling Straits in 2020 the tournament will then head to Italy in 2022, with the move hoping to boost golf participation and popularity in the country.