Guide to how it all works

The Ryder Cup is contested by two teams of 12 players representing Europe and the United States. There are 28 matches played in three different formats: fourball and foursomes, which take place on Friday and Saturday, plus singles involving all 24 players on Sunday. A match ends when a side's lead exceeds the number of holes left to play. All matches are over a maximum of 18 holes with one point for a win and half a point for a tie.

Fourball

Also known as bestball, each member of the two-man teams plays his own ball and the better score of the two is used to determine the outcome of the hole. This format encourages a player to hit a bold shot if his partner has played to a safe position.

Foursomes

Also known as alternate shot, each team of two players plays with just one ball. The golfers take alternate shots until the hole is completed. Team members alternate playing tee shots with one golfer hitting the tee shot on odd-numbered holes and his partner hitting the tee shot on even-numbered holes.

Singles

Each golfer from the United States team plays an opponent from Europe in head-to-head competition. The two captains submit their line-ups not knowing how the opposition has called the draw. The team going into the last day trailing in the points table will probably put their best players out early in order to try and make up ground before the deficit becomes too big to claw back.

Result

The first team to get 14-and-a-half points wins the Ryder Cup. If the match is tied at 14-14 the defending champions, Europe, will retain the trophy.