2008 Ryder Cup Matches

The Ryder Cup trophy is displayed during the European Tour and PGA Golf Congress at The Hilton Hotel on June 6, 2007 in Vienna, Austria

Every second year, the Ryder Cup sees the top US golfers challenge the best European golfers for the prestigious Ryder Cup trophy. The matches are administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour.

The first official Ryder Cup Matches were held between British and US players in 1927. From then, a two-yearly competition between top British and US golfers developed into a tradition.

After a long period of domination by the United States, it was decided in 1979 that the Ryder Cup Matches would be opened to all European golfers. Since then, the competing teams have been closely matched, with Team USA and Team Europe winning the event close to an equal number of times. The 2006 Ryder Cup was taken by Team USA.

Traditionally, the Ryder Cup Matches were played in odd-numbered years. After rescheduling of the matches following the 11 September 2001 attack on America, it was decided that all future matches would be played in even-numbered years.

2008 Ryder Cup Matches

The 2008 Ryder Cup Matches will be held at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from 19 to 21 September. The matches will be preceded by three days of practice rounds.

The Ryder Cup format for 2008 is the same as for the two previous competitions. Each of the first two days of the tournament will see four foursome matches played in the morning and four fourball matches played in afternoon. On the final day of the tournament, 12 single matches will be played for a total of 28 points. All matches will be played over 18 holes.

2008 Ryder Cup Teams

For the 2008 Ryder Cup Matches, Team Europe will be captained by Nick Faldo, with assistant José María Olazábal and another assistant still to be named. Paul McGinley, originally invited to assist, has opted to try for a playing position on the team instead.

Team USA is to be led by Paul Azinger, with Raymond Floyd, Dave Stockton and Olin Browne as assistants.

The captains of each team pick a certain number of members, and determine their team's order of play. Remaining team members are those who rank top in relevant points systems, ensuring that the field for the 2008 Ryder Cup Matches includes the best of the best American and European golfers.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the 2008 Ryder Cup Matches?

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