Ryder Cup – Everything You Need To Know

Everything you need to know about how it works, who is involved and how to watch.

By the numbers:

• First Ryder Cup was in 1927
• Each of Team USA and Team Europe have 12 players
• 28 matches
• 14 ½ points wins the cup
• 25 years since Team USA has won when the Cup is played in Europe
• Overall record USA 26 – Europe 13

How does the Ryder Cup work?

The first 2 days consist of four-ball matches and foursome matches followed by the last day of single matches

• Four-ball matches
  • Each group of 4 guys (2 Americans and 2 Europeans) plays their own ball
  • Each team counts the lowest of their 2 scores
  • The team that hits the lowest on the hole gets 1 point
    • If the hole ends in a tie then the points are halved
• Foursomes
  • Each team plays one ball per hole
    • The players take turns hitting alternate tee shots
    • #GFHints: This is what they mean when you hear players say they like odds or evens. Each player takes turns hitting tee shots on even or odd numbered holes
  • The team that that hits the lowest on the hole gets 1 point
    • If the hole ends in a tie then the points are halved
• Singles
  • 1 American vs 1 European
  • Whoever scores the lowest wins the hole and 1 point 
    • If the hole ends in a tie then the points are halved
• First team to 14½ points wins
  • If the Cup ends in 14-14 tie then the Ryder Cup stays with the team that won it last time, which is Team USA

First Pairings

• 1:10am – Brooks Koepka-Tony Finau v. Justin Rose-Jon Rahm
• 1:25am – Rickie Fowler-Dustin Johnson v. Thorbjorn Olesen-Rory McIlroy
• 1:40am – Jordan Spieth-Justin Thomas v. Paul Casey-Tyrell Hatton
• 1:55am – Patrick Reed-Tiger Woods v. Francesco Molinari-Tommy Fleetwood

• After the end of the morning session, the afternoon pairs will be announced 
  • Times: 6:50am, 7:05am, 7:20am, 7:35am

Where’s the course?

• Le Golf National, 15 miles outside of Paris. Par 71

How do I watch?

• To watch live:
  • https://www.rydercup.com/live/rydercupusa
• Fri: 9/28
  • 1am – 12pm Golf Channel
  • 7pm – 11pm (re-air) Golf Channel
• Sat: 9/29
  • 1am – 2am Golf Channel
  • 2am – 12pm NBC
  • 12pm – 5pm (re-air) NBC
  • 7pm – 11pm (re-air) Golf Channel
• Sun: 9/30
  • 5am – 12pm NBC
  • 7pm – 11pm (re-air) Golf Channel

Who is on the team?