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 2008 and  2006 Ryder Cup was taken by Team USA. At the 2008 Ryder Cup Final round, the USA Team claimed the winning post by defeating the Europeans 16½ - 11½.

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 Teams

For the 2008 Ryder Cup Matches, Team Europe was captained by Nick Faldo, with assistant José María Olazábal. Paul McGinley, originally invited to assist, had opted to try for a playing position on the team instead.

The 2008 winners, Team USA, was 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 Ryder Cup Matches includes the best of the best American and European golfers.

2010 Ryder Cup Matches

The 2010 Ryder Cup Matches will be held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, between 1 and 3 October. The matches will be preceded by three days of practice rounds. The exclusive Twenty Ten course is specially made for the 2010 Ryder Cup and is only golf course of its kind!

The Ryder Cup format for 2010 will be the same as for the two previous competitions. Each of the first two days of the tournament comprise of  four foursome matches played in the morning and four fourball matches played in afternoon. On the final day of the tournament, 12 single matches are played for a total of 28 points. All matches where played over 18 holes.

 

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the 2010 Ryder Cup Matches?

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