Ryder Cup 2018: Teams, Scoring and Format Explained
The 42nd Ryder Cup tees off at Le Golf National in Paris, France, from Sept. 28-30. Captains Jim Furyk (USA) and Thomas Bjorn (Europe) will bring two teams comprised of 12 players — eight who qualified via points and four captain’s picks — to compete in 28 matches, each played to a maximum of 18 holes.
Days 1 and 2 consist of four foursome (alternate shot) matches and four fourball (better ball) matches each day, while Day 3 concludes with 12 head-to-head singles matches. Each match is worth one point, with 14 ½ points needed to win the cup. In the case of a 14–14 tie, the defending champion retains the cup. (Captain Davis Love III and Team USA won 17–11 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota in 2016.)
From 1927–77, the USA played a combination of Great Britain (since 1927), Northern Ireland (1947) and Ireland (1953). Since 1979, the biennial format has been USA vs. Europe. Historically, the USA leads Europe in the series, 26–13–2. (Five Ryder Cups went unplayed due to World War II and 9/11.)
Here’s a rundown of this year’s teams:
Team USA
Captain
Jim Furyk
Vice-Captains
David Duval
Zach Johnson
Matt Kuchar
Davis Love III
Steve Stricker
Qualified Players
(In order of qualifying points)
Brooks Koepka
Dustin Johnson
Justin Thomas
Patrick Reed
Bubba Watson
Jordan Spieth
Rickie Fowler
Webb Simpson
Captain’s Picks
Bryson DeChambeau
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Tony Finau
Phil Mickelson
Tiger Woods
Team Europe
Captain
Thomas Bjorn, Denmark
Vice-Captains
Luke Donald, England
Padraig Harrington, Ireland
Robert Karlsson, Sweden
Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland
Lee Westwood, England
Qualified Players
(In order of qualifying points)
Francesco Molinari, Italy
Justin Rose, England
Tyrell Hatton, England
Tommy Fleetwood, England
Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark
Jon Rahm, Spain
Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland
Alex Noren, Sweden
Captain’s Picks
Paul Casey, England
Sergio Garcia, Spain
Ian Poulter, England
Henrik Stenson, Sweden