Ryder Cup Format and Match-Play Scoring Description
Posted: Mon September 22, 1997 at 12:02 p.m. EDT
The Ryder Cup is contested over three days and 28 matches, each
of which is worth one point.
The defending team retains possession of the Ryder Cup in the
event of a tie (14 points), but each team needs 14 1/2 points
for an outright victory.
The first day of competition features eight matches between
two-man teams -- four foursomes, or alternate shot matches, and
four four-ball, or best-ball matches. The format for the second
day of play is identical.
The final day of the competition features 12 singles matches.
All 28 matches are contested under a match-play format, where
by players compete against each other, not the course. The
score reflects which player has won more holes. The winning
player or team receives one point, the loser none and each
participant receives one-half point in the event the match
is tied after 18 holes.
A match is over when each player or team has completed 18 holes
or when one has mathematically clinched victory.
The following are a few common terms used frequently during the
Ryder Cup and a brief explanation:
Foursomes -- Two teams of two golfers each competing in an
alternate shot format. One player tees off on the
odd numbered holes, the other on the even, and
they alternate shots until each hole is completed.
Four-ball -- Two teams of two golfers competing in a best-ball
format. Each golfer plays his own ball and the
best score of the two counts for the team.
Halved -- A hole is halved when players or teams finish the hole
with the same score. A match is halved when the
players or teams finish 18 holes tied.
Concedes -- A player or team concedes a putt when they do not
make their opponent or opponents finish out the hole.
The following is a brief explanation of the match-play scoring
system:
2-up after 11 -- A player or team that is 2-up after 11 has won
two more holes then his/its opponent through 11
holes.
All square after 15 -- The match is tied through 15 holes.
2-up -- A player or team that wins 2-up has won two more holes than
his/its opponent after 18 holes.
3 and 2 -- A player or team that wins 3 and 2 had won three holes
more than his/its opponent with only two holes left to
play, mathematically assuring victory.
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