Ryder Cup for Dummies: 2014 Edition
As the 40th Ryder Cup matches begin this weekend, we want to make sure everyone is up to date with the facts and figures:
Date: September 26-28
Golf Course: Jack Nicklaus designed the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles Resort and began operations in 1993 originally as The Monarch's Course. It has been improved and given a new name ahead of the Ryder Cup. It has been host to a European Tour event every year since 1999. The course will be a challenge at par 72 and 7,243 yards. The 16th and 18th holes are easily reachable par 5s that should add to an exciting weekend of golf.
Different format: Four matches of better ball and alternate shot on Friday and Saturday, 12 singles matches on Sunday. “Gimmie putts” will be seen often, something different from the status quo of PGA or European tournaments.
Points: Unlike watching “Who’s Line is It Anyway?” where the everything is made up and the points don’t matter, at the Ryder Cup they determine the winning side. The United States needs 14.5 points to win the cup, while Europe needs 14 points to retain the cup for another year.
Previous Ryder Cup "Miracle at Medinah": Europe formed the greatest comeback for a visiting team, rallying from a 10-6 deficit to win by a full point. Ian Poulter birdied his last five holes Saturday night to start the European rally. Three European players won their last two holes during Sunday singles to complete the victory. Poulter also went a perfect 4-0.
Current Captains: Tom Watson (United States) Paul McGinley (Europe)
Europe: Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood
United States: Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker, Bubba Watson
Fun Fact: Tiger Woods will be missing only his second Ryder Cup in his career. Oddly, it was the last time he missed in 2008 when the U.S. last won the trophy.
1993: The last time the U.S. won the Ryder Cup in Europe, oddly enough that was last time Tom Watson was the captain too.
Those two facts alone show perhaps the U.S. with some luck on their side.
"Nobody is going to expect us to win. But I fully expect us to win."
— U.S. captain Tom Watson.
Television (all times EDT): Friday, 2:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Golf Channel. Saturday, 3 a.m. to 1 p.m., NBC Sports; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT, NBC Sports.
