‘event that turns a typically individual sport in one of the most’ exciting team competitions. It ‘a battle that takes place every two years, for three days, among the best 12 golfers Americans and 12 more’ strong European golfers.
If you have not yet figured out, we’re talking about the Ryder Cup and the 40th edition this year, will take place at the legendary PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles, Scotland.
The format of the Ryder Cup
Unlike other tournaments, the Ryder Cup is a ‘match play’. In a competition ‘match play’, a player, or a team earns a point for each hole completed in less shots than the opponent. Each match is played over a maximum of 18 holes, but often do not get to the final, the team at a disadvantage because they are not enough to reach the opponents and then be able to win.
The Ryder Cup uses three sizes of match play: the fourballs, the Foursomes and Individual. During the first day, four meetings are held in the morning and in the afternoon fourballs four Foursomes. The program is repeated on the second day. On the last day will be played instead of 12 Individual meetings. But let us see the features of each format.
In a Fourball the two components of the pair playing his own ball on every hole, along with the other two golfers of the opposing team. At the end of each hole, the best outcome is chosen between the two team-mates and compared with that of their opponents.
In the race Foursome both members of the couple alternate their shots on the same ball. They do it from the tee, so that a player hits first in all odd holes and the other the face in all those equal. The two continue then to exchange, until the end of the hole. The couple with the score more ‘low wins the hole.
In Individuals participating in all 24 golfers, in 12 meetings. Each of the two rivals finished its hole and compare the result with that of the adversary
The protagonists of the Ryder Cup 2014
The participants belong to the Ryder Cup the elite of world golf. That is who are the protagonists of this 40th edition.
Europe, captained by Paul McGinley, has experienced players like Westwood and Garcia, but also three rookies: Dubuisson, Donaldson and Gallacher. Star of the team is definitely the number 1 in the world Rory McIlroy, who completed a spectacular season, with two Major bulletin board.
The team USA is headed for the second time in history, the legendary Tom Watson. Driver of the team is the left-hander Bubba Watson, who last April, he won the Masters for the second time in Augusta. Mickelson and Furyk will ensure the experience, Walker, Spieth and Reed will give a bit ‘freshness to the team.
Who will win the 40th edition?
Although the United States has obtained a total of 25 successes, Europe has won seven of the last nine editions, including where the last two. And, among the ranks of European militate four of the top six golfers in the world rankings.
Another curiosity: the last time that Team USA was imposed in the old continent was in ’93, with Watson as captain.
The state of the current form of the players leaves us thinking that Europeans can get the third win in a row. But the previous editions have shown that we should not place too much confidence in the predictions. Nothing is taken for granted when it comes to the Ryder Cup.
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