Ryder Cup Introduction
The Ryder Cup trophy played for every two years in an event called the "Ryder Cup Matches" between teams from Europe and the United States. The Matches are jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour. It is one of the last great sporting events founded on prestige rather than prize money and has spanned 34 competitions over 77 years.
The original concept was to stage international matches between the best American golf professionals and those of Great Britain. Its originator is the subject of much debate among golf historians – Past PGA President, George Sargent (1921-26) of the Southeastern PGA Section, credited Sylvanus P. Jermain, President of Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, with first presenting the idea in 1921.
The competition was inaugurated following an exhibition match in 1926 of a team representing American professionals against a similar one representing the British PGA on the East Course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, UK. The solid gold trophy was donated by Samuel Ryder, a golf enthusiast and successful entrepreneur, who made his fortune selling garden seeds in "penny packets". The inaugural Ryder Cup Matches competition was held in 1927.
Early golf competition between the two sides were fairly even, but after the Second World War, repeated US dominance led to a decision to extend the representation of the British & Irish team to Europe in 1979. This change was partly prompted by the success of a new generation of Spanish golfers of the time, including Severiano Ballesteros. He and Antonio Garrido were the first Spaniards to play in the Ryder Cup, in 1979. Europe has also been represented since then by players from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden. As a result of this change, the event has enjoyed more competitive matches, with Europe winning seven times and retaining the cup once, compared to six American wins in this same period.
The Ryder Cup Matches involve various match play matches between players selected from two teams of twelve. Currently, the matches consist of eight foursomes matches, eight four-ball matches and twelve singles matches. The winner of each match scores a point for their team, with ½ a point each for any match that is tied after 18 holes.
The matches take place over three days, Friday through Sunday. On the Friday, there are four four-ball matches and four foursomes matches in the afternoon. On the Saturday, the same schedule repeats. On the Sunday, there are twelve singles matches. Not all the golfers need to play on Friday and Saturday; the captain can select any eight players for each of the four rounds of play over these two days.
This year the opening matches of a Ryder Cup will feature the alternate-shot format. The United States Golf Team Captain, Paul Azinger, announced the change on January 30 at the PGA Tour's FBR Open in Phoenix and is hoping to give his team an early advantage in Kentucky.