At the Ryder Cup, one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, the European and American golf elite meet. In 1921, an unofficial golf duel between Great Britain and the USA took place for the first time in Gleneagles, Scotland, and marked the birth of the continental golfing comparison.
What is the Ryder Cup?
The golf team tournament was officially launched in 1927. Since then it has been regarded as the most important duel between the new and old world. From 1939 to 1945, the Ryder Cup was suspended due to the Second World War. Until 1973 the British could only win the Cup once. As a consequence, the team was strengthened by Irish golfers. Since 1979 players from all over Europe have been nominated and since then the balance of power has been more balanced.
How did the Ryder Cup get its name?
The tournament is named after Samuel Ryder, a British seed dealer and golf fan. In 1927 he brought golfers from the USA and Great Britain together for the first time in Worchester in the US state of Massachusetts for an official duel.
How exactly does the Ryder Cup work?
A total of 28 duels take place over three days. The first decisions are made in four so-called “foursomes”: In this team mode, two Europeans and two Americans share the same ball and take turns teeing off. In the so-called “fourball games”, teams of two again compete against each other. However, each team hits its own ball and the best score is scored. Then it gets really exciting: In another 12 games, the game is played in man-on-man mode (match play). For each victory you get one point. In the event of a tie, both teams are awarded half a point.
How do players qualify for the respective teams?
The US team follows a strict points system to recruit the best players. Since the Ryder Cup is held every two years, it is looked at who has won what prize money at the major championships in 2013, the Masters, US Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship. One point is awarded for every 1000 dollars. The same will be done for the results of the PGA Tour Events 2014. All prize money earned outside the major championships and the World Golf Championships will be counted at half a point for every 1000 dollars. These twelve golfers from the USA will compete in 2014: Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson – captain of the American team is Tom Watson.
The European team is made up of the best golfers in the European and world rankings. If there are players on both lists, the next best placed player moves up. With the “Captain’s Picks” three players per team will receive a wildcard. The European team around Captain Paul McGinley is composed as follows in 2014: Thomas Björn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood – and Martin Kaymer.
How is the balance so far?
Until 1977, the record looked relatively bleak with only British and Irish participation on the European side. Three victories, one draw and 18 defeats – that does not exactly speak for a balanced trial of strength. Only with the integration of other European golf professionals did things improve, as nine victories, one draw and seven defeats show. After the victories in Wales in 2010 and Michigan (USA) in 2012, Europe will be competing as a double defending champion this year.
Has the Ryder Cup ever been held in Germany?
“Unfortunately, Germany has not yet hosted the Ryder Cup,” regrets VcG Managing Director Marco Paeke. But an application for the 2022 Cup is currently being considered. “It’s going to be exciting, because besides Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey are also interested in hosting the 2022 Ryder Cup,” says Marco Paeke. Translated with