2008 Ryder Cup Golf Tournament Preview:
The beauty of the Ryder Cup is epitomized in the bright gold sheen of the cup trophy, as it is wielded high and strong by the tournament champion. In 2008, the Ryder Cup trophy will be earned on the greens at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Both Europe and the United States will send their best to compete in foursome, fourball, and singles golf matches. The object of the Ryder Cup tournament is for each international team to score the must points in different match play matches. Points are earned by teams and singles achieving the lowest score.
The 2008 Ryder Cup format will start in the alternate shot format – or foursomes – at the request of Paul Azinger, the United States team captain. Foursomes had been used in the first sessions every year since 1981, until the format was changed to fourballs in 1997. The United States Ryder Cup team hopes to use the alternate shot format to give them an edge in the 2008 Ryder Cup tournament. The top eight golfers in the United States (by most prize money earned) will pair with four captains picks to comprise the U.S. team. The Europeans will select their team based on the European Tour list and the world ranking points list.
The best golfers in the United States and Europe will be in Louisville this year, vying for the right to hold the beautiful Ryder Cup. The United States will try and break the European winning streak at the event, halting them from capturing four straight cup trophies. This will be a memorable Ryder Cup golf tournament, so get your tickets in advance!
2010 RYDER CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:
Location: Celtic Manor Resort
City: Newport, South Wales, UK
Dates: September 28 - October 3, 2010
RYDER CUP FORMAT:
Tuesday: Practice
Wednesday: Practice
Thursday: Practice & Opening Ceremonies
Friday: 4 fourball matches in morning. 4 foursome matches in afternoon.
Saturday: 4 fourball matches in morning. 4 foursome matches in afternoon.
Sunday: 12 singles matches (USA versus Europe)
Fourball matches are when a player plays their best ball. Foursome matches are also known as alternate shot matches. There are 28 matches in all, the winner needs 14 points if they are trying to retain the Cup and 14.5 to win it outright.
THE RYDER CUP:
One of the golf world’s premiere events is the Ryder Cup. The Cup was first played in the United States in 1927. Its founder, Samuel Ryder, was an English golf enthusiast. For Ryder the idea of pitting the greats of Irish and British golf against the best golfers in the United States was a natural extension of his beloved game. In 1979 the challenge was changed to include PGA Europe (Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Italy and Germany), which included all of the top golfers in Europe.
The Ryder Cup alternates its location every two years between the US and Europe. Unlike the Masters, the Ryder Cup has no official home course. Previous Ryder Cups have been hosted by some of the most challenging and beautiful courses in Wales, the U.K., the United States and Spain. It is because the Ryder Cup attracts some of the best players in American and European professional golf that the event is so thrilling year after year.
This biannual event features three days of fantastic matches. Foursome, fourball and singles matches are played out with glory and drama by players representing each side of the Atlantic. Play begins on a Friday and continues through the following Sunday. Each year stories of the battles waged by the greats tantalize fans. Don’t miss your chance to see golf history in the making! Buy Ryder Cup tickets today and experience the excitement of the Ryder Cup live!