The 2014 Ryder Cup kicks off Friday, Sept. 26 at the Gleneagles Resort in Gleneagles, Scotland and closes on Sunday the 28th. Team Europe has won the last three Ryder Cups, its longest winning streak in a competition dominated by Team USA (25-12-2) over the years. And it's favored to make it four straight this year.
But really, how does this competition work anyway? Here's a breakdown of the format and rosters for this biennial match-play event.
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How points are earned: Friday's and Saturday's action will include eight matches contested each day. Four of each day's matches will be fourballs (more commonly known as better ball), with the other four being foursomes (alternate shot). U.S. captain Tom Watson and European captain Paul McGinley will select two-player teams to pair together for these matches, with each pairing earning one point for winning a match. Teams earn a ½ point for ties after 18 holes. Sunday's action will feature 12 singles matches involving every member of both teams, which means neither side can hide players who struggled in the prior two days.
Each captain submits the order in which his pairings/players will play without knowing how the opponent ordered his lineup.
Format: Team Europe retains the Cup by earning 14 points (of a possible 28). Team USA needs to earn 14½ points to win the Cup.
TV schedule
(All times Eastern)
Friday, Sept. 26: 2:30 a.m. ET - 1 p.m. ET, Golf Channel
Saturday, Sept. 27: 3 a.m. ET - 1 p.m. ET, NBC
Sunday, Sept. 28: 7 a.m. ET - 1 p.m. ET, NBC
ROSTERS
(c) denotes Captain's pick
UNITED STATES
c-Keegan Bradley
Age: 28
Ryder Cup appearances: 1
Ryder Cup record: 3-1-0
World ranking: 26
Rickie Fowler
Age: 25
Ryder Cup appearances: 1
Ryder Cup record: 0-1-2
World ranking: 10
Jim Furyk
Age: 44
Ryder Cup appearances: 8
Ryder Cup record: 9-17-4
World ranking: 5
Zach Johnson
Age: 38
Ryder Cup appearances: 3
Ryder Cup record: 6-4-1
World ranking: 16
Matt Kuchar
Age: 36
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 3-2-2
World ranking: 9
c-Hunter Mahan
Age: 32
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 3-2-3
World ranking: 21
Phil Mickelson
Age: 44
Ryder Cup appearances: 9
Ryder Cup record: 14-18-6
World ranking: 11
Patrick Reed
Age: 24
Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie
World ranking: 27
c-Webb Simpson
Age: 29
Ryder Cup appearances: 1
Ryder Cup record: 2-2-0
World ranking: 33
Jordan Spieth
Age: 21
Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie
World ranking: 13
Jimmy Walker
Age: 35
Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie
World ranking: 19
Bubba Watson
Age: 35
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 3-5-0
World ranking: 7
EUROPE
Thomas Bjorn, Denmark
Age: 43
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 3-2-1
World ranking: 30
Jamie Donaldson, Wales
Age: 38
Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie
World ranking: 28
Victor Dubuisson, France
Age: 24
Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie
World ranking: 23
c-Stephen Gallacher, Scotland
Age: 39
Ryder Cup appearances: Rookie
World ranking: 34
Sergio Garcia, Spain
Age: 34
Ryder Cup appearances: 6
Ryder Cup record: 16-8-4
World ranking: 3
Martin Kaymer, Germany
Age: 29
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 3-2-1
World ranking: 12
Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland
Age: 35
Ryder Cup appearances: 3
Ryder Cup record: 5-5-2
World ranking: 18
Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland
Age: 25
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 4-3-2
World ranking: 1
c-Ian Poulter, England
Age: 38
Ryder Cup appearances: 4
Ryder Cup record: 12-3-0
World ranking: 37
Justin Rose, England
Age: 34
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 6-3-0
World ranking: 6
Henrik Stenson, Sweden
Age: 38
Ryder Cup appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record: 2-3-2
World ranking: 4
c-Lee Westwood, England
Age: 41
Ryder Cup appearances: 8
Ryder Cup record: 18-13-6
World ranking: 41
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
