Editing Ryder Cup Scoring

The '''Ryder Cup''' is one of golf’s most exciting events, pitting '''Team USA vs. Team Europe''' every two years. Unlike traditional golf tournaments where the lowest total score wins, the Ryder Cup uses a '''match play format''' — making scoring simple, but very different from stroke play.

== Match Play Basics ==

* Each match is worth '''1 point'''.
* A match can end in:
** '''Win''' → 1 point to the winning team.
** '''Tie (halved)''' → ½ point to each team.
** '''Loss''' → 0 points.
* There are '''28 matches in total''', so 28 points are available.

== Ryder Cup Format & Scoring Breakdown ==
{| class="wikitable"
!'''Day'''
!'''Format'''
!'''Matches Played'''
!'''Points at Stake'''
|-
|'''Friday (Day 1)'''
|Morning: Fourball 
Afternoon: Foursomes
|8 total (4 + 4)
|8 points
|-
|'''Saturday (Day 2)'''
|Morning: Fourball 
Afternoon: Foursomes
|8 total (4 + 4)
|8 points
|-
|'''Sunday (Day 3)'''
|Singles matches (head-to-head)
|12 total
|12 points
|-
|'''Total'''
|—
|28 matches
|28 points
|}

== ow a Team Wins the Ryder Cup ==

* The '''first team to 14½ points''' wins the Ryder Cup outright.
* If the competition ends in a '''14–14 tie''', the '''current holder retains the Cup'''.

== Example Scenarios ==

* '''USA wins 15–13''' → USA takes the Ryder Cup.
* '''Europe ties 14–14''' while holding the previous Cup → Europe retains the trophy.
* '''Dominant victory''' → e.g., 19–9 (as USA did in 2021).

== Key Terms to Know ==

* '''Foursomes (Alternate Shot)''' → Two-player teams, each side hits one ball alternately until the hole is completed.
* '''Fourball (Better Ball)''' → Each of the two partners plays their own ball; the best score counts for the team.
* '''Singles''' → One-on-one match play, player vs. player.

== Why This Scoring Makes the Ryder Cup Special ==

* Every hole matters — a single putt can swing an entire point.
* Momentum can shift quickly as matches finish across the course.
* The team format and point system create '''drama unlike any other golf event'''.