Ryder Cup Format 2014: Explaining Rules for Team USA vs. Europe
The 2014 Ryder Cup begins in less than a week, which means it's time for one of the best biennial traditions in golf: explaining how this strange event works.
Featuring 24 of the best players from the United States and Europe, the Ryder Cup is different than nearly every tournament you're used to seeing on the weekend. Say goodbye to stroke play, goodbye to the four-round format and goodbye to someone you've never heard of toppling everyone. And welcome to match play.
The format has been kind to the Europeans, who have won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups. The last two events have seen Europe win by the thinnest margin possible—14.5 to 13.5. But with Tiger Woods not playing, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy firing on all cylinders and Scotland's Gleneagles Hotel playing host, the odds are in the defending champs' favor.
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Europe is a 20/27 favorite coming into the week, per Odds Shark. United States captain Tom Watson will have to cross his fingers that rookies like Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed and struggling veterans like Phil Mickelson find their footing. Along with McIlroy, European captain Paul McGinley boasts Ryder Cup giants Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter.
Friday undoubtedly marks one of the biggest days on the golfing calendar. But what in the world does any of this gibberish mean? Check below for a full explanation of the Ryder Cup format.
What Is Match Play?
Match play is like regular golf, only except without that whole war of attrition thing. You can shoot a 78 on one day and still have a chance of winning your match.
In match play, each hole is a mini-game in itself. Players go head-to-head in pairs or as singles in what amounts to a best-of-18 format. The player with the lowest score wins each hole. In the event of a tie, the hole is halved and no one receives a point. The players continue until it is mathematically impossible for one party to catch up.
In Ryder Cup format, there are 28 matches, each of which is worth up to one point. Ties are decided by 0.5 points for each team. For the United States to win, it has to have at least 14.5 points. In the event of a 14-14 tie, Europe retains the championship.
All 28 matches are played regardless of the mathematical likelihood of one team prevailing. (E.g. The U.S. could be up 27-0 but the 28th match would still need to be played.)
Players and How They Were Chosen
Ryder Cup teams feature 12 players from the United States and 12 players from Europe. There is an ongoing qualification process in the two years between Ryder Cups. Players are ranked based on their performance in major championships and regular events, with golf's four biggest contests carrying more weight.
The nine highest-scoring players in 2013 and 2014 are automatically chosen. The final three players are called captain's picks. While given their full discretion to pick whomever they want, most captains keep their selections pretty close to how the players were ranked.
The lowest-ranked player this year is Hunter Mahan, who was 25th in the Ryder Cup standings but has a 3-2-3 all-time record at the event. Lee Westwood, one of the better Ryder Cup players of his generation, is the lowest-ranked European at No. 19.
| Rory McIlroy | Bubba Watson |
| Henrik Stenson | Rickie Fowler |
| Victor Dubuisson | Jim Furyk |
| Jamie Donaldson | Jimmy Walker |
| Sergio García | Phil Mickelson |
| Justin Rose | Matt Kuchar |
| Martin Kaymer | Jordan Spieth |
| Thomas Bjorn | Patrick Reed |
| Graeme McDowell | Zach Johnson |
| Stephen Gallacher | Keegan Bradley |
| Ian Poulter | Webb Simpson |
| Lee Westwood | Hunter Mahan |
How Each Day Works
Day 1 and Day 2
The first two days of Ryder Cup play are the same. There are eight matches total, worth one point apiece. Each of the matches require two-man teams from the United States and Europe.
There are four four-ball matches—ones in which all four players play individual rounds. The best ball of the four players competing wins the hole. (It is halved if the teams tie.) The matches follow a standard match-play format.
There are also four foursome matches—ones in which the partners alternate shots. Again, the team with the lowest score wins each hole and the hole is halved in the case of a tie. The matches follow standard match-play format.
Note: Because of the number of matches, of course, there are some players who are going to play twice.
Day 3
No more teams. Every man for himself. All 12 players are thrown into head-to-head matchups, each worth one point.
Everyone celebrates with orange julius and uncrusted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the end. (OK, that last part might be a lie.)
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