Ryder Cup Format 2014: Match Play Scoring System and Competition Rules
Golf may be a gentlemen’s game where the crowd typically cheers for everyone to be successful, but the Ryder Cup is different.
National pride is on the line, and the United States will be looking to win the Cup back at Gleneagles after losing the past two. The 2012 loss in Medinah was particularly difficult for the Americans considering the European side overcame a sizable deficit on the final day.
Here is a look at the rosters, as well as the schedule, television information and format for this unique event:
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| Captain | Paul McGinley | Tom Watson |
| Player 1 | Rory McIlroy | Bubba Watson |
| Player 2 | Henrik Stenson | Rickie Fowler |
| Player 3 | Victor Dubuisson | Jim Furyk |
| Player 4 | Jamie Donaldson | Jimmy Walker |
| Player 5 | Sergio García | Phil Mickelson |
| Player 6 | Justin Rose | Matt Kuchar |
| Player 7 | Martin Kaymer | Jordan Spieth |
| Player 8 | Thomas Bjørn | Patrick Reed |
| Player 9 | Graeme McDowell | Zach Johnson |
| Wildcard | Stephen Gallacher | Keegan Bradley |
| Wildcard | Ian Poulter | Webb Simpson |
| Wildcard | Lee Westwood | Hunter Mahan |
| 4 Fourball matches (morning) | 2:35 a.m. (7:35 a.m.) | Golf Channel |
| 4 Foursome matches (afternoon) | 8:15 a.m. (1:15 p.m.) | Golf Channel |
| 4 Fourball matches (morning) | 3 a.m. (8 a.m.) | NBC |
| 4 Foursome matches (afternoon) | 8:15 a.m. (1:15 p.m.) | NBC |
| 12 Singles matches | Beginning 6:36 a.m. (11:36 a.m.); 12-minute intervals thereafter | NBC |
Match Play Scoring System Explanation
Golf is typically fairly straightforward in terms of following the scoring. The golfer with the lowest total score based on strokes at a given tournament is the winner.
However, that is not the case at the Ryder Cup, which is based on match play scoring. Cumulative score doesn’t matter here; instead, the winner of a particular match is based on who (or which team) wins the most individual holes. It doesn’t matter if the hole is won by a single stroke or 200 strokes; it still counts as one hole won.
The winning team or individual receives a full point for their country, while a tie gives a half-point to each side. There are 28 total points available at the Ryder Cup, but Europe only needs a tie with 14 points to retain the trophy.
As for the style of play, the first two days consist of a series of two-on-two competitions with foursomes and fourball, while the final day features one-on-one singles matches.
In foursomes, each team of two uses one ball and alternates shots until the hole is finished. The lowest score on the hole wins the point. It is also worth mentioning that one player on each team tees off on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even ones.
As for fourball, all four players finish the hole with their own ball, and whichever team has the individual with the lowest score on that hole (the “better ball”) wins the hole.
The singles is straightforward, with the player posting the best score for each individual hole winning the point for said hole. The player who wins the most holes wins the match.
Player to Watch on Each Side
Rory McIlroy, Europe
Having the PGA of America Player of the Year Award and Vardon Trophy winner on their side is a good way to start for the Europeans.
Nobody was better than Rory McIlroy on the golf course in 2014. He won The Open Championship, the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship and put on one of the most impressive runs we have seen in golf in years.
The Americans have taken notice, if captain Tom Watson’s comments to reporters are any indication: “You knock off the big dog and that gives a boost to your team, without a doubt. If you look at the players right now, the No. 1 player in the world is Rory McIlroy, and that's somebody that we'd like to see on the losing end of a match.”
Watson certainly has a point.
Beating the top player in the world, even if it is in two-on-two fashion, would give the Americans the boost of confidence they may need on European turf. That will not be easily done, though.
Rickie Fowler, United States
The United States is going to need a top-notch golfer to step up and lead against McIlroy and company, and Rickie Fowler may be the perfect candidate.
Fowler finished in the top five at all four majors, showing off his consistency and ability to play on the big stage. He has impressed throughout the season, even if he came up just short of actually winning one of those majors.
He even shaved the letters USA into the side of his head for the Ryder Cup, although Michael DeCourcy of Sporting News pointed out (in tongue-in-cheek fashion) that it may not help:
Fowler has not played his best golf at past Ryder Cups and has a 0-1-2 career record, but he is hitting his stride at age 25. He was very young in 2010 and 2012, although that experience should help him this time around.
Fowler is playing some of the best golf of his life and will be critical to the Americans’ chances at Gleneagles.
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