golf's Ryder Cup by numbers
The Ryder Cup is a biennial match between the best golfers from the United States and Europe which has developed over the years into one of the most eagerly-awaited and hotly-contested events on the sporting calendar. This year's match takes place at Celtic Manor in Wales from October 1-3, where huge galleries will watch the action close up with many more millions viewing on television. The United States are the holders after their upset victory at Valhalla in 2008, but Europe start as narrow favorites on home soil with many of their players in fine form this season, winning two of golf's four majors. 37: The number of matches that have been held since the first in 1927, the brainchild of English entrepreneur Sam Ryder, with the United States claiming 25 victories against 10 losses with two ties. The team holding the trophy retain the Ryder Cup in the event of a tie. There were no matches in 1939, 1941, 1943, and 1945 due to World War II while the 2001 contest was delayed