Royal Birkdale first hosted the Ryder Cup in 1965.
The 1965 matches were the 16th Ryder Cup and took place from October 7 to 9 at the Southport links. The United States defeated Great Britain 19–12, with Byron Nelson and Harry Weetman serving as the respective captains.
Royal Birkdale hosted the Ryder Cup again in 1969. That second edition ended in a 16–16 tie, remembered for Jack Nicklaus conceding Tony Jacklin’s short putt on the final hole. Because the United States was the defending holder, it retained the trophy.
That famous 1969 contest can cause confusion about the first edition at Birkdale. Chronologically, however, 1965 came first; 1969 was the club’s second Ryder Cup. The 1951 and 1948 dates refer to other team golf events held at the club, not its first Ryder Cup.