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General knowledge · Sport

The Ryder Cup

First official match 1927

Sport — biennial team match play golf

The biennial team match-play contest between the United States and Europe, first played officially in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. The trophy was given by Samuel Ryder, a St Albans seed merchant, and the golfer on its lid is modelled on Abe Mitchell, Ryder's own coach. Twelve players a side contest 28 matches over three days; 14½ points wins the cup outright, and a 14–14 tie leaves it with the holder. Continental European players were admitted in 1979, since when the match has been one of golf's great spectacles.

How to spot them

  • ▸Twelve a side, 28 matches, foursomes, fourballs and twelve singles
  • ▸14½ points to win; the holder keeps it on a 14–14 tie
  • ▸A gold trophy with a small golfer on the lid, modelled on Abe Mitchell
  • ▸Great Britain, then Great Britain and Ireland, then Europe from 1979

Key facts

Given by a St Albans seed merchant who made his fortune selling penny packets of seeds by post (1927)

Samuel Ryder; the first official match was at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts

The figure on the lid of the trophy is modelled on the donor's own golf coach

Abe Mitchell, an English professional Ryder employed

Continental European players were admitted from 1979, ending decades of American dominance (1979)

Jack Nicklaus had urged the change; Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer transformed the contest

Jack Nicklaus conceded Tony Jacklin's two-foot putt on the last green to halve the 1969 match (1969)

The Concession, at Royal Birkdale — the first tie in the competition's history

The United States came from 10–6 down on the last day at Brookline, in scenes that ended with a premature celebration on the seventeenth green (1999)

The Battle of Brookline; Justin Leonard's long putt while José María Olazábal still had one to play

Europe came from 10–4 down at Medinah to win 14½–13½ (2012)

The Miracle at Medinah, dedicated to the late Seve Ballesteros

Europe won 15–13 at Bethpage Black, their first away win in thirteen years (2025)

Luke Donald's side led 11½–4½ going into the singles, a record European lead

The 2027 match goes to Adare Manor in County Limerick (2027)

Only the second time the contest has been held in Ireland

Quick-fire facts

  • •The first official match was in 1927 at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts, won by the United States
  • •Samuel Ryder, an English seed merchant, donated the trophy; the figure on its lid is modelled on his coach Abe Mitchell
  • •Twelve players a side contest 28 matches: foursomes, fourballs and twelve singles
  • •14½ points are needed to win; on a 14–14 tie the holder retains the cup
  • •It was Great Britain against the United States until 1973, Great Britain and Ireland to 1977, and Europe from 1979
  • •The 1969 match at Royal Birkdale was tied after Jack Nicklaus conceded Tony Jacklin's putt on the last green — 'the Concession'
  • •Europe's recovery from 10–4 down at Medinah in 2012 is known as the Miracle at Medinah
  • •The contest moved from odd to even years after 2001, when it was postponed following the September 11 attacks, and back to odd years after the 2020 match was delayed by the pandemic
  • •Europe won 15–13 at Bethpage Black in 2025, under captain Luke Donald, their first away win since Medinah
  • •The 2027 match will be played at Adare Manor in Ireland

Drill it — 8 cards

1 / 8new card

Sources