Ryder Cup Format | How It Works

How it Works: Ryder Cup Format

The game's top players tee it up at Le Golf National just outside of Paris, France, for the 2018 Ryder Cup. The first Ryder Cup was played in 1927 but since 1979 the competition has consisted of two days of four-ball and foursome matches along with one day of singles matches. The 2018 Ryder Cup begins Friday, September 30, here's what you need to know on the unique team format.

WHERE: The location of the Ryder Cup alternates between Europe and the United States.

TEAMS: In 2018, U.S. players gain points at every non-opposite PGA TOUR event, World Golf Championships event and major through the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive, which concluded on August 12, 2018.

The top eight in the Ryder Cup points standings qualified automatically: Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson.

The four remaining slots on the U.S. team are captain's picks by Jim Furyk. The first three were announced following the Dell Technologies Championship: Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Tony Finau became the final captain's pick on Monday, September 10.

The European Team, captained by Thomas Bjørn, is comprised of the first four players from the European Points List, followed by the leading four players from the World Points List and completed by four wild cards. European Points List qualifiers: Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood. World Points List: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren and Thorbjorn Olesen. Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson were the captain's picks.

FOUR-BALL: Each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

FOURSOMES: Each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

SINGLES: each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Unlike stroke play, players don't have to complete each hole in match play. If a player concedes a stroke – almost always a putt – to his opponent, the opponent picks up his ball, takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and moves on to the next hole.

POINTS SYSTEM: Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a draw worth 1/2 point to each side. The first team to reach 14 ½ points (of the 28 points available) wins the Ryder Cup. If the matches end in a 14-14 draw, the team holding the Ryder Cup retains it. The United States team is the defending champion headed into the 2018 Ryder Cup.

The three days of the matches consist of 28 total matches, each of which is worth one point. There are no extra holes in Ryder Cup matches. Should the two sides be tied after 18 holes, each side earns a halve (1/2 point).