Ryder Cup – Everything You Need to Know
One of the most famous events in golf, and maybe even in sports generally, The Ryder Cup is an iconic battle between Europe and the USA held every 2 years.
Unlike other golfing tournaments such as The Masters or the US Open, the Ryder Cup is not about individual wins, but instead is a team celebration. There is no prize money at this competition, it’s purely about coming together to share a love for your continent and your sport. I would also imagine that the bragging rights are pretty nice too.
The Ryder Cup first began in 1927, and was named after the Englishman who donated the original trophy, Samuel Ryder. Originally just a friendly match between GB and the US, the Ryder Cup now is one of the most competitive golf events, capturing millions of viewers across the globe.
How is it played?
The Ryder Cup is played over three days of match-play battles in 3 different formats:
There are 28 points available, so a team needs 14.5 points to win. If they tie 14-14, the current trophy holders get to keep it.
Brief Overview of Winners
Through the early decades, team USA absolutely dominated the tournament. In fact, team Europe (then just Great Britain and Ireland) only managed three wins between 1927-1985. The tournament was holted during 1939-1945 due to WW2.
Once the then team GB opened up to more European players, including the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal, we saw a healthy comeback for team Europe. Since 1985, Europe have been the leaders with 14 wins compared to the USA with only 6.
Where is The Ryder Cup Held?
The Ryder Cup has been held at a number of venues across Europe and the US, alternating between the two destinations each time. Some of the most famous venues include…
Ryder Cup – Notable Names
While the Ryder Cup is played as a team sport, there are a few standout individuals who deserve their own turns in the spotlight.
-
Jack Nicklaus
Appearances: 5
Team: USA
Wins/Losses/Draws: 18/8/3
-
Seve Ballesteros
Appearances: 8
Team: Europe
Wins/Losses/Draws: 20/12/5
-
Sergio Garcia
Appearances: 10
Team: Europe
Wins/Losses/Draws: 25/13/7
Sergio is the all-time record holder for most points scored, with a staggering 28.5 points.
-
Phil Mickelson
Appearances: 12
Team: USA
Wins/Losses/Draws: 18/22/7
-
Tiger Woods
Appearances: 8
Team: USA
Wins/Losses/Draws: 13/21/3
-
Ian Poulter
Appearances: 7
Team: Europe
Wins/Losses/Draws: 15/8/2
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