Ryder Cup: What Is the Ryder Cup?
The Ryder Cup is the premier team competition in men's professional golf. It pits one European team against a U.S. team from 12 players each, led by a captain. It takes place every two years, alternating between Europe and the United States.
Special feature: There is no individual ranking or total stroke count. Everything is decided by match play, hole by hole, and only the points earned by the team count.
How does the Ryder Cup work?
The competition lasts three days, from Friday through Sunday, and features 28 matches:
| Day | Matches | Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 8 | 4 foursomes and 4 four-balls |
| Saturday | 8 | 4 foursomes and 4 four-balls |
| Sunday | 12 | 12 singles |
- Foursome: Two players per team play a single ball, taking turns hitting it.
- Four balls (four-ball): Each player plays his or her own ball; the team's best score on the hole counts.
- Singles: one-on-one. On Sundays, all 12 players on each team play.
On Friday and Saturday, each day includes one session in the morning and one in the afternoon. For each session, the captain selects the eight players who will play, so some players sit out.
How are points scored in the Ryder Cup?
- A win brings in 1 point.
- A game that ends in a tie (all square) pays out half a point To each team: There are no additional holes.
- There are 28 points at stake. So we need to 14.5 points to win. In the event of a 14-14 tie, the defending champion maintains the cut.
Where did the Ryder Cup come from?
The tournament is named Samuel Ryder, an English businessman who had made his fortune in the seed trade in St. Albans and who donated the trophy. A friendly match between British and American professionals, played at Wentworth in 1926, inspired the competition.
The first official edition took place in 1927 at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. The team that initially faced the Americans was Great Britain, which later became Great Britain and Ireland in 1973. Since then 1979, players from continental Europe can join: this marks the birth of the European team.
The schedule has been changed twice: the 2001 event was postponed to 2002 following the September 11 attacks, and the 2020 event was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19. The competition is once again held in odd-numbered years.
The Ryder Cup in France
France hosted the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2018, at the Golf National in Guyancourt, near Paris. The European team, captained by Thomas Bjørn, defeated Jim Furyk's U.S. team 17.5 to 10.5.
Who organizes the Ryder Cup?
On the American side, it's the PGA of America; on the European side, Ryder Cup Europe, an organization that brings together, among others, the DP World Tour and European professional golf associations. Some players qualify based on their ranking, while others are selected by the captain.
Women have their own equivalent, the Solheim Cup, which also pits Europe against the United States.
The Next Ryder Cup: Adare Manor 2027
The 46th Ryder Cup, the centennial edition, is being held in Adare Manor, in Ireland, September 17–19, 2027. Format, winners since 1979, records, and tickets: it’s all in our A Complete Guide to the Ryder Cup.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Ryder Cup
What is the Ryder Cup?
It is a team golf competition held every two years between Europe and the United States, with 12 professional players on each side, played in a match-play format.
How many points does it take to win the Ryder Cup?
There are 28 points at stake: 14.5 are needed to win. If the score is 14-14, the defending champion retains the cup.
What are the match formats for the Ryder Cup?
Foursomes (one ball per team, with players taking turns hitting) and four-balls (each player plays their own ball; the best score counts) on Friday and Saturday, followed by 12 singles matches on Sunday.
Has the Ryder Cup ever been held in France?
Yes, in 2018 at the Golf National in Guyancourt, near Paris. Europe won 17.5 to 10.5.