Format
The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point. The competition format used in 2008 was:
- Day 1 (Friday)—four foursomes (alternate shot) matches in the morning session and four fourball (better ball) matches in the afternoon
- Day 2 (Saturday)—four foursome matches in the morning and four fourball matches in the afternoon
- Day 3 (Sunday)—12 singles matches
With a total of 28 points available, 14½ points were required to win the cup, and 14 points for the defending champion to retain it. All matches were played over a maximum 18 holes.
For the first time since 1995, the opening matches featured foursomes. US captain Paul Azinger chose the format, hoping to give his team an early advantage in Kentucky. Foursomes was used in the first sessions of every event since 1981 until European captain Seve Ballesteros opened with better ball (fourball) in 1997 at Valderrama.
Read more about this topic: 2008 Ryder Cup