+ What
Ryder Cup, the prestigious team competition in golf between the USA and Europe.
+ When
Friday-Sunday.
+ Where
Bethpage Black, on Long Island a few miles east of central New York.
+ TV
Viaplay broadcasts from 1 pm the first two days, from 6 pm on Sunday.
+ How
Initially, foursome matches are played – four foursome matches are followed by four fourball matches on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the competition ends with twelve singles matches.
+ Game forms
In fourball, all players play their own ball, but each pair only counts their best result on each hole. In foursome, players hit every other shot. In all game forms, it's match play that applies.
+ Last meeting
Was decided in Rome two years ago. Europe then won with 16.5–11.5, after having taken a firm grip already on the first day.
+ The course
The sign at the first tee at Bethpage Black says it all. The text reads: "Warning – The Black Course is an extremely difficult course that we only recommend for very skilled golfers". Previously, two US Open and one PGA Championship have been played on the demanding course, which is now hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time.
+ The audience
It's usually loud and patriotic. Now the Ryder Cup is also being played on a course outside New York where the golf audience, after previous majors, has a reputation for being extra rowdy.
I honestly think this is going to be the biggest golf event ever, says USA's Justin Thomas according to the AP news agency.
Rory McIlroy revealed last week that the European players have received "virtual reality" equipment to be able to simulate what it's like to play with a loud and even heckling audience.
+ USA's players
Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, JJ Spaun, Russell Henley, Harris English, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin and Cameron Young.
+ Europe's players
Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Rasmus Højgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Åberg, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka, Matt Fitzpatrick.
+ The stars
World number one Scheffler and world number two McIlroy will likely be the anchors in their respective teams. And now they also have company from the biggest stars on the LIV tour, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
+ Captains
Luke Donald led Europe to victory in 2023 and now the Englishman has been given renewed confidence to try to repeat the success. In the USA, Keegan Bradley, who eventually chose not to select himself as a player in the team, has replaced Zach Johnson.
+ Streak
Home wins have been lined up in the Ryder Cup lately. After Europe's turnaround and away win in the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012, the home team has lifted the trophy five times in a row. It's the longest streak since the Ryder Cup's infancy, when the first five editions were won by the home team.
+ If it's a tie
If the final result is 14–14, Europe will retain the trophy as the reigning champion. Two Ryder Cups have ended in a tie over the years: 1969 (USA got to keep the trophy) and 1989 (Europe got to keep the trophy).
+ Swedes
Just a few months after he turned pro, Ludvig Åberg made his debut in Rome, where he won two matches and lost two. The 25-year-old is now selected again in what will be his first Ryder Cup away from home.
Alex Norén is one of Luke Donald's vice-captains. But should he have been included as a player instead? Norén is ranked 18th in the world after his two wins in a short time, but the latest – at Wentworth two weeks ago – came after Donald had already selected the team.
+ The visit
US President Donald Trump is expected to come to Bethpage during the first day of competition on Friday. When Trump recently visited the men's US Open final in tennis, it resulted in delays due to the large security deployment, something they hope to avoid now.
+ History
The first Ryder Cup was played between the USA and Great Britain in 1927. In 1973, Great Britain was joined by Ireland in the team, and from 1979 onwards, it's the USA and Europe that meet. The competition has been decided every other year with three exceptions: a break during World War II and two editions that were postponed by a year (2001 due to the 9/11 attacks and 2020 due to the pandemic).
+ Founder
Samuel Ryder (1858–1936) was an English businessman and golf enthusiast. He founded the Ryder Cup and sponsored the competition, among other things, with the gold trophy that the teams play for.
