Golf | How does the Ryder Cup actually work?

We’re moving closer to one of the biggest events in the golfing calendar.

The Ryder Cup, golf’s most celebrated team competition, is played every two years between Europe and the United States.

Author | Liam C

Fans watch on at 2023 Ryder Cup

When and where is the 2025 Ryder Cup?

The 2025 edition will run from Friday 26 September to Sunday 28 September at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.

Hosting duties alternate between Europe and the United States. The last Ryder Cup in 2023 took place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, while the 2027 event will be staged at Adare Manor in Ireland.

How does the format of the competition work?

Unlike traditional golf tournaments, the Ryder Cup is a team contest. Each side is made up of 12 players, who compete in a mix of pairs and singles matches across three days. The team that secures the most points wins.

READ MORE |  Latest news and stories from the 2025 Ryder Cup

Match formats explained

There are three types of matches in the Ryder Cup: foursomes, fourball and singles.

On Friday and Saturday, there are four foursome matches and four fourball matches, with 16 points available across both days. Sunday is devoted to 12 singles matches, ensuring every golfer plays. Each match is worth one point, with ties resulting in half a point for each side.

How many points are needed to win the Ryder Cup?

A total of 28 points are contested. The magic number is 14½ points, which guarantees overall victory.

In Rome in 2023, Europe won 16½-11½. The last Ryder Cup on American soil, in 2021, saw the United States triumph 19-9.

2023 Ryder Cup celebrations

What if the Ryder Cup ends in a draw?

If the match finishes level at 14-14, the holders retain the trophy. Europe are the current champions following their success in Rome.

There has only been one tie since Europe joined the competition in 1979, which came at the Belfry in Warwickshire in 1989.

Who has the most Ryder Cup wins?

Since the competition expanded to include European players in 1979, Europe have won 12 of the 22 editions, with the United States claiming nine.

The home side has dominated recent years, with each of the past five Ryder Cups won by the host nation. Europe’s most recent away win was at Medinah in Illinois in 2012, while the last US victory on European soil came at the Belfry in 1993.

Before Europe’s inclusion, the Ryder Cup was contested between the US and Great Britain and Ireland from 1973 to 1977, with the Americans winning all three editions. Going further back, from 1927 to 1971 the competition was a battle between the US and Great Britain alone. The Americans won 15 of those 19 matches, Britain secured three victories, and the 1969 contest ended in a tie, allowing the US to retain the trophy.