The 2018 Ryder Cup was named Event of the Year at the prestigious BT Sport Industry Awards in London on Thursday.

A record crowd of more than 270,000 fans watched Europe defeat the United States at Le Golf National, Paris, last September, with millions more tuning in around the world on TV and record social media engagement, with more than 22 billion impressions across the week.

It was the most successful Ryder Cup to be staged in Europe, as the biennial contest visited continental Europe for only the second time.

The BT Sport Industry Awards, which took place at Battersea Evolution, recognise the best work from across the sports sector, with The Ryder Cup winning the award ahead of Hockey Women’s World Cup, ESL One, Fever Tree Championships, the Grand National and The Championships, Wimbledon.

Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup Director, said: “We are extremely proud to receive the Event of the Year Award which is a tribute to all the hard work and dedication of so many people who were involved in making The 2018 Ryder Cup such a resounding success.

“Paris was an iconic host city and the response of fans at Le Golf National and around the world on social media once again underlined the huge appeal of this truly global event.”

It was the second consecutive year the European Tour has been recognised at the BT Sport Industry Awards.

Last year the European Tour took home the Social Media Campaign of the Year prize for its Access All Areas series, which included such videos as Aaron’s Big Day, the Fastest Hole of Golf, the Awkward Reporter and Bad Coaching.  

At this year’s ceremony, the European Tour was also shortlisted for Sports Organisation of the Year Award and the Media Content Award for its coverage of The 2018 Ryder Cup, while Official European Tour Partner Hilton was nominated for the Event or Competition Sponsorship Award for their collaboration with the European Tour at the BMW PGA Championship.