Everything you need to know about golf's Ryder Cup

Get ready as one of the world's most famous golfing events is about to get underway.

The Ryder Cup is a sporting showdown played every two years between Europe and America's top golfers.

Team Europe are the current defending champions after their victory in Italy in 2023, but Team USA will have home advantage this time.

So, how did the competition come about and what can we expect this year?

Keep reading to find out...

What is the Ryder Cup?

The Ryder Cup is named after its founder Samuel Ryder (on the left)

The Ryder Cup is named after its founder, Samuel Ryder, an English businessman from Hertfordshire.

The trophy, presented to the winning team, is made out of gold and stands at around 43cm high.

On top is a figure of Abe Mitchell, a friend and golf instructor of Samuel Ryder.

The first official Ryder Cup was held in 1927 at the Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts, America.

Back then the competition was between the US and Great Britain, but in 1979 the British team changed to include players from across Europe.

Since then, there have been 22 Ryder Cups, with Team Europe winning 12 times, Team USA victorious on nine occasions and one tie - in 1989.

It seems home advantage plays a big part in the Ryder Cup.

The past five editions have all been won by the home team, with Europe's last away win coming in 2012 in Illinois, while the USA's last away win was at the Belfry - a famous golf course in Warwickshire - in 1993.

Where is the Ryder Cup taking place in 2025?

The 45th Ryder Cup will take place over three days between Friday 26 September and Sunday 28 September 2025.

It's being held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.

The venue for each edition of the competition alternates between the USA and Europe - in 2023, the event was held in Rome in Italy.

How does the Ryder Cup work?

Unlike most tournaments in golf, the Ryder Cup is a team event and features 12 players from each side for the three-day event.

During the first two days the players play as pairs, in two different formats - foursomes and four-balls.

On the final day, twelve singles matches take place where players go directly head-to-head.

There are 28 points on offer over the three days and the first team to earn 14 and a half points wins the Ryder Cup.

If both teams finish level on 14 points, then the team that took the trophy last time keeps it - which this year would be Europe.

This is how the three different types of matches are played:

Foursomes

Matches are played in pairs - two against two - but each pair only gets one ball to play with.

They take turns hitting the ball, with the first player hitting the tee shot, the second the second shot, the first the third and so on.

One player hits the tee shots on odd-numbered holes and they then switch so the other one hits them on even-numbered holes.

Four-balls

Matches are played in pairs, but each player in the pair plays their own ball.

At the end of each hole the player who needed the fewest shots counts for their team.

Singles

All 12 players from each team play one round against a member of the opposing team.

If a player wins a match they earn a point for their team. If a match finishes all-square each team earns half a point.

Which golfers are taking part in the Ryder Cup?

This year's captains are Luke Donald (Team Europe) and Keegan Bradley (Team USA)

Team Europe: Rory McIlroy (qualifier), Robert MacIntyre (qualifier), Tommy Fleetwood (qualifier), Justin Rose (qualifier), Rasmus Hojgaard (qualifier), Tyrell Hatton (qualifier), Shane Lowry (wildcard), Jon Rahm (wildcard), Sepp Straka (wildcard), Viktor Hovland (wildcard), Ludvig Aberg (wildcard), Matt Fitzpatrick (wildcard)

Team USA: Scottie Scheffler (qualifier), JJ Spaun (qualifier), Xander Schauffele (qualifier), Russell Henley (qualifier), Harris English (qualifier), Bryson DeChambeau (qualifier), Justin Thomas (wildcard), Collin Morikawa (wildcard), Ben Griffin (wildcard), Cameron Young (wildcard), Patrick Cantlay (wildcard), Sam Burns (wildcard)

How is the Ryder Cup scored?

One point is awarded for each match won, with half a point for each tied match.

There are 28 matches across the three days so defending champions Team Europe need 14 points for a tie that would see them retain the Ryder Cup.

For USA to regain the trophy they must score at least 14½ points.

Ryder Cup records

Europe's Sergio Garcia is the record points scorer in Ryder Cup history, with 28½ from ten appearances.

American Phil Mickelson holds the record for the most appearances with 12.