The Ryder Cup was named for British merchant and golf fan Samuel Ryder, who agreed to sponsor a competition between American and British golfing greats in the 1920s. The first official competition was held in 1927 and in following years, the criteria for qualifying for Ryder Cup teams have changed, as has the makeup of the teams the Americans face. These changes began in the 1970s, when players from other European nations and not just those from Great Britain were included.
Origins
Before the Ryder Cup became an official event in 1927, an informal match between American and British golfers was held in 1921 in Scotland during the days leading up to the 2,000 Guineas Match Play Championship. The British team won handily, as it did again in 1926 before the Open Championship. British seed merchant Samuel Ryder met with members of both teams after that 1926 match and proposed a match with a trophy and prize money. The inaugural event was held in 1927 in Massachusetts and the American team won 9 1/2 to 2 1/2.
Americans Take Charge
The Ryder Cup became a biennial event, and in the first 20 matches, the Americans won 16 and tied once with the British. The American teams were dominated by the nation's early golfing greats, such as Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Jimmy Demaret. The Americans' domination of the event continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with the leadership of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, J.C. Snead and Dave Stockton.
Europeans Join the Competition
The 1973 Ryder Cup saw teams formed on the basis of a year-long point system. Eight players qualified for the teams based on points, while four other players were selected by the team captains. Four years later, at the urging of Jack Nicklaus, the British team agreed to accept golfers who were native to other European countries. In the next 15 matches, from 1979 to 2008, the teams went 7-7-1.
Interruptions to the Matches
Because of World War II, no Ryder Cup matches were held from 1939 until 1947, when the American team won in a rout in a match in Portland, Oregon. Similarly, in 2001, the schedule matches were re-scheduled following the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Since then matches have been held in even years.
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