The Ryder Cup is played as a three-day match play team competition between two teams of 12 players each, representing the United States and Europe. It consists of 28 matches played over 18 holes, with various formats:
- On Friday and Saturday, there are two sessions each day: four foursomes matches in the morning and four four-ball matches in the afternoon. In foursomes, two-player teams play one ball alternately; in four-ball, each player plays their own ball and the best score of the two counts for the team.
- On Sunday, all 12 players from each team compete in 12 singles matches (one-on-one).
Points are awarded for each match won (1 point) or tied (0.5 points each). The team with the most cumulative points after all matches are played (out of 28 points total) wins the Ryder Cup. In case of a 14-14 tie, the team holding the Cup retains it. Captains choose which players play in the matches on Friday and Saturday, but all players compete in the singles on Sunday.
