The first informal matches were played in 1921 in Gleneagles, Scotland.  James Harnett, most likely with Walter Hagen’s assistance, selected the American team. The British soundly defeated the U.S. Team, 9-3. During those matches, British golf star Abe Mitchell beat the reigning British Open Champion, American Jim Barnes, 8 and 7 in the singles, and then partnered with George Duncan in the foursomes to beat Hagen and Barnes, 9 and 8.  English seed merchant and entrepreneur Samuel Ryder watched those matches and enjoyed himself tremendously.  Ryder was an English nurseryman from St. Albans in Hertfordshire, who made his fortune selling penny seed packets. Before the matches in Wentworth, Ryder had engaged Mitchell as his personal golf tutor. Soon, Ryder agreed to donate a solid gold cup, worth £250. The cup was designed by Mappin & Webb Company. Ryder insisted that a golfing figure adorn the lid and that it resemble Mitchell.

The first official Ryder Cup Matches were arranged for June 3-4, 1927, at Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Massachusetts. That same year in1927, Mitchell was originally selected as Captain for the Ryder Cup but suffered appendicitis and was replaced by Ted Ray.  Ray was joined on the team by Aubrey Boomer, Archie Compston, George Duncan, George Gadd, Arthur Havers, Herbert Jolly, Fred Robson and C.A. (Charles) Whitcombe.  Only British Isle-born players were allowed to join the team. The U.S. Ryder Cup team was captained by Hagen, a charter member of the PGA of America.  Only American-born players were allowed to make the team.  Joining Hagen on the team were Leo Diegel, Johnny Farrell, Johnny Golden, Bill Mehlhorn, Gene Sarazen, Joe Turnesa and Al Watrous.  Mike Brady and Al Espinosa were named alternates. The United States team defeated the team from Great Britain in that historic match, 9 ½ to 2 ½. With the outbreak of World War II, the Ryder Cup Matches were suspended from 1939-’45, and the U.S. retained the trophy from its 1937 victory. Over the last 20 years and 10 competitions Europe has won five times, the United States has won four times and they have tied once. The Ryder Cup Format today is a four four-ball and four foursome matches the first two days and 12 singles matches on the third day.  The total points awarded is 28 points.  This format will be the same for the 2004 Ryder Cup Matches.

 

Europe and the United States take turns hosting this biennial event, which means that the U.S. only plays host once every four years. Overall, only 17 courses in the United States have served as sites for the Matches, and no course or club has ever held the Matches twice. In 2004, Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, site of six U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships will become the 18th course to host the event. The Ryder Cup will be held on the South Course at Oakland Hills, September 14 – 19, 2004.

 

• Match play is a game that is decided hole by hole instead of cumulatively over 18 holes.
  
   

• A hole is won by the team, which holes its ball in the fewer strokes.
  
   

• Score is kept by the number of holes up (won) and the number of holes to play. (Example: U.S. 2-up, with six holes to play)
  
   

• When a team is up (winning) by more holes than there are holes remaining, then the match is closed out and a point is awarded.
  
   

• One point is awarded for each match won.
  
   

• If the match is tied or "halved" through 18 holes of play, each team receives one half of a point.
  
   

• A total of 28 points are awarded in Ryder Cup competition. If a match is currently tied while in competition, then it is considered "all-square".
  
   

• A match is considered "dormie" when one side is up by the exact number of holes that remain.
  
   

• A player/twosome is said to be 2-up thru 10 after winning two more holes than their opponent(s) through 10 holes.
  
   

• A player/twosome is said to win the match 2-up after winning two more holes than their opponent thru 18 holes.
  
   

• A player/twosome is said to win 3 and 2 after winning three holes more than their opponent(s) with only two holes left to play, assuring victory.