Ryder Cup Definition
The Ryder Cup is a golf tournament played between a team of top golfers from the United States and Europe every two years. It is a series of match play matches played in three styles: "Fourball," "Foursomes" and "Singles."
U.S. Ryder Cup Points
The United States team earns Ryder Cup points based on a system compiled by the PGA of America. A potential member of the United States team earns one point for every $1,000 earned at one of the four "major" tournaments (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship) the previous year; one point for every $1,000 earned during regular PGA Tour event the year of the Ryder Cup; two points for every $1,000 earned at the major tournaments the year of the Ryder Cup; and 1/2 of a point for every $1,000 earned at tournaments that were played at the same time as one of the four majors. The top eight players in this points system earn spots on the team.
European Ryder Cup Points
The European team uses two lists of rankings to determine the players for its team. The top five European players on the world ranking list earn spots on the team, then the top five players in the European Tour rankings that have not already qualified earn spots. This ensures there is equal representation from players from the European Tour and Europeans who play primarily in the United States.
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