Captain Tony Jacklin's men retained the Ryder Cup at The Belfry

Ryder Cup history continued to rewrite itself. The contest in 1989 ended in stalemate for only the second time in the tournament's history.

Following back-to-back victories for Europe, the hype preceding the event was immense.

The build-up and competitive spirit was certainly fuelled by the American captain Raymond Floyd, who said his team comprised "the 12 greatest players in the world".

The challenge had definitely been laid down. The Americans took a firm grip during the opening morning, winning two foursomes and halving the other two.

However, the partisan crowd enjoyed a sensational afternoon as Europe claimed all four fourballs to cruise into a healthy 5-3 lead.

Nothing could separate these two battling giants on the second day, but it was the Spanish duo of Seve Ballesteros and Jose-Maria Olazabal who excelled.

They were the only pairing to claim two victories during the day. America had it all to do in the singles and fought back tigerishly, determined to reclaim the trophy.

The visitors started well, winning the opening two singles, but their momentum soon faltered.

On the treacherous 18th, Payne Stewart sent his ball into the water to lose to Olazabal and could only watch in horror as team-mate Mark Calcavecchia played exactly the same shot against Ronan Rafferty.

Tom Kite won his match for the Americans, but they then lost three in a row.

In the end, it fell to Jose Maria Canizares to get down in two on the 18th to win his match against Ken Green and ensure that Europe retained the Cup.

But defeats in the remaining four singles matches meant that Europe could not claim victory in the match overall.

Foursomes: Morning
N Faldo & I Woosnam halved with T Kite & C Strange
H Clark & M James lost to L Wadkins & P Stewart (1 hole)
S Ballesteros & J M Olaz�bal halved with T Watson & C Beck
B Langer & R Rafferty lost to M Calcavecchia & K Green (2&1)

Fourballs: Afternoon
S Torrance & G Brand Jr beat C Strange & P Azinger (1 hole)
H Clark & M James beat F Couples & L Wadkins (3&2)
N Faldo & I Woosnam beat M Calcavecchia & M McCumber (2 holes)
S Ballesteros & J M Olaz�bal beat T Watson & M O'Meara (6&5)

Foursomes: Morning
I Woosnam & N Faldo beat L Wadkins & P Stewart (3&2)
G Brand Jr & S Torrance lost to C Beck & P Azinger (4&3)
C O'Connor Jr & R Rafferty lost to M Calcavecchia & K Green (3&2)
S Ballesteros & J M Olaz�bal beat T Kite & C Strange (1 hole)

Fourballs: Afternoon
N Faldo & I Woosnam lost to C Beck & P Azinger (2&1)
B Langer & J M Ca�ares lost to T Kite & M McCumber (2&1)
H Clark & M James beat P Stewart & C Strange (1 hole)
S Ballesteros & J M Olaz�bal beat M Calcavecchia & K Green (4&2)

Singles:
S Ballesteros lost to P Azinger (1 hole)
B Langer lost to C Beck (3&2)
J M Olaz�bal beat P Stewart (1 hole)
R Rafferty beat M Calcavecchia (1 hole)
H Clark lost to T Kite (8&7)
M James beat M O'Meara (3&2)
C O'Connor Jr beat F Couples (1 hole)
J M Canizares beat K Green (1 hole)
G Brand Jr lost to M McCumber (1 hole)
S Torrance lost to T Watson (3&1)
N Faldo lost to L Wadkins (1 hole)
I Woosnam lost to C Strange (2 holes)