America's victory over Europe at Valhalla in 2008 finally ended their long losing run in the Ryder Cup.

The success of Paul Azinger's side means that the US have now lifted the trophy seven times since 1979, when the GB & Ireland team was bolstered by players from Europe.

Skysports.com looks back at the Americans' victories over Europe.

1979: USA 17 Europe 11

Seve Ballesteros and Antonio Garrido were among the significant additions to the new-look European team, however America remained undaunted. Victory in four of the five sessions helped secure a mammoth winning total.

1981: USA 18.5 Europe 9.5

Two years later and it was a similar story - only difference being the margin of the result as America racked up a record score. Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and Ray Floyd ran riot at Walton Heath as Dave Marr's side left John Jacobs' Europeans shell-shocked.

1983: USA 14.5 Europe 13.5

A match involving six future Ryder Cup captains saw America edge to a narrow victory in the singles, having gone into the final day level at 8-8. Tony Jacklin led the Europeans against Nicklaus' side.

1991: USA 14.5 Europe 13.5

Having suffered three successive defeats, the United States hit back at Kiawah Island after an fiery affair. Bernhard Langer missed the decisive putt in the final singles game, with Hale Irwin halving the match to secure the win.

1993: USA 15 Europe 13

A final day to remember for Tom Watson's side as they picked up 7.5 points in the singles. The Americans had trailed Bernard Gallagher's side but they powered past them at the Belfry to secure a second successive win.

1999: USA 14.5 Europe 13.5

The now infamous Battle of Brookline. Europe threw away a 10-6 lead on the final day as America dominated the singles. However the match will be remembered for the controversial celebrations when the America team - including wives and girlfriend - ran on to the green before the match was over and trampled the path of Jose Maria Olazabal's final putt.

2008: USA 16.5 Europe 11.5

Europe headed in looking for an unprecedented fourth straight victory but, after opening an early lead, Paul Azinger's pumped up side always held the upper hand. Without the services of the injured Tiger Woods, the Americans maintained their intensity throughout and confirmed a convincing triumph by claiming 7.5 points in the singles, Anthony Kim setting the tome with a 5&4 trouncing of Sergio Garcia.