Copyright scotsman
The Ryder Cup is finally underway after weeks of buildup - with Europe taking on America at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Initially played between teams from the United States and Great Britain and Ireland, the first match took place in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. American dominance saw the team extended to include players from continental Europe from 1979 and, since then, the biennial competition has become one of the most eager-anticipated events in the golfing calendar by both players and fans. This year the Europe team is captained by Luke Donald, while the American skipper is Keegan Bradely. And there’s Scottish interest courtesy of Robert McIntyre who will be playing in his second Ryder Cup, having gone unbeaten on his debut in 2023 - when Team Europe triumphed by 16.5 points to 11.5 points in Italy. Yesterday saw Europe get off to a winning start, triumphing 3-1 in the morning foursomes before consolidating their position with a 2.5-1.5 point win in the afternoon fourballs. It’s give them a lead they will be keen to build on going into day two. Here’s everything you need to know about today’s play. The Ryder Cup runs over three consecutive days from September 26-28. Here’s who’s playing this year: The Ryder Cup is a match play competition where every match is worth one point (you get half a point for halving a match). There are 28 matches in total - meaning that a team needs to get to 14.5 points to win the Ryder Cup. The matches are split as follows: If the score ends up 14-14 then the last team to win the cup is said to have ‘retained’ it - this year that would be team Europe. Here are the results of day one of the Ryder Cup. Match 1: Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas vs Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton EUROPE WIN Match 2: Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley vs Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick EUROPE WIN Match 3: Collin Morikawa and Harris English vs Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood EUROPE WIN Match 4: Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay vs Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland US WIN Match 5: Scheffler and Spaun vs Rahm and Straka EUROPE WIN Match 6: Griffin and DeChambeau vs Fleetwood and Rose EUROPE WIN Match 7: Young and Thomas vs Aberg and Hojgaard US WIN Match 8: Burns and Cantlay vs McIlroy and Lowry HALVED The score after a day of play is: Europe: 5.5 points USA: 2.5 points Here’s how the first four matches are shaping up: The pairings for the afternoon fourballs will be announced at lunchtime (around 4pm UK time) In the UK the first of the afternoon fourballs will tee off at 12.10pm, with the other three starting at 12.26pm, 12.42pm, and 12.58pm. Here’s when you can catch the rest of the action over the coming three days: Saturday afernoon fourballs Sunday singles Traditionally there is no prize money, or even participation fee, for the Ryder Cup - players compete for the honour of being part of the team. This year that remains the case with Team Europe who will not receive a single penny - but don’t be surprised if they get a pretty nice present from their captain at the end of the tournament. For the first time the members of the American team will get a cheque for playing, although it isn’t reliant on their performance. Each team member will get $500,000 - $300,000 to go to a charity of their choice and $200,000 to cover their ‘costs’. Sky Sports have exclusive rights to the Ryder Cup and will be broadcasting every shot live on will be Sky Sports Golf (renamed Sky Sports Ryder Cup channel for the week). If you are not a Sky Sports subscriber you can still watch the action via NOW TV with a Sky Sports pass - priced at £14.99 for a day pass or £34.99 for a month pass. Who is favourite to win the Ryder Cup? Europe are now hot favourites to win the Ryder Cup, priced at 1/3, having started as outsiders. The Us are prices at 7/2 with odds of 12/1 for the tie.
