When is it on?
The biennial Ryder cup tournament kicks off this Friday 30th September until Sunday 2nd October
Where is it on?
The 41st Ryder Cup will be held in the United States at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.
Who has the most wins?
Since the beginning of the tournament way back in 1927, USA dominates the overall leader board with 25 wins compared to Europe’s 13 wins. Entering as the current cup holders, Europe have won 8 of the last 10 tournaments and are currently on a winning streak of three in a row.
The Teams:
Team Europe. The leading five players on the European Tour’s World Points List make the European team, and the leading four players on the European Points List joined them. Captain Darren Clarke selects the remaining 3 wildcard players to make up the team of 12.
Rafa Cabrera Bello
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Sergio Garcia
Rory McIlroy
Justin Rose
Henrik Stenson
Andy Sullivan
Danny Willett
Chris Wood
Martin Kaymer (Wildcard)
Thomas Pieters (Wildcard)
Lee Westwood (Wildcard)
Team USA. The United States team selection is based on points compiled by the PGA of America. The top eight in the point’s standings make the team. U.S. Captain Davis Love III names the remaining 4 wildcard players to make up the team of 12.
Dustin Johnson
Zach Johnson
Brooks Koepka
Phil Michelson
Patrick Reed
Brandt Snedeker
Jordan Spieth
Jimmy Walker
Ryan Moore (Wildcard)
Matt Kuchar (Wildcard)
Rickie Fowler (Wildcard)
J.B. Holmes (Wildcard)
What are the match formats?
The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point. The competition format will be as follows:
- Day 1 (Friday) – 4 foursomes (alternate shot) matches and 4 fourball (better ball) matches
- Day 2 (Saturday) – 4 foursome matches and 4 fourball matches
- Day 3 (Sunday) – 12 singles matches
On the first two days there are 4 foursome matches and 4 fourball matches with the home captain choosing which are played in the morning and which in the afternoon.
With a total of 28 points available, 14½ points are required to win the Cup, and 14 points are required for the defending champion to retain the Cup.
Who will win?
Team USA go into the tournament as hot favourites. With home advantage the bookies have them at 4/7, while Team Europe are 15/8 and a tie is 12/1. No doubt, the roaring American audience will have great expectations for the Americans to get back to their Ryder cup winning ways. Europe, on the other hand always seem to relish as being the underdogs, they have the winning momentum and much less pressure on their shoulders. They have an 80% winning percentage in the last 10 Ryder cups. How can you bet against that?
Verdict: Team Europe to win narrowly
