Written by By Staff Writer
This year’s Ryder Cup begins on Friday (USA v Europe, Friday, 8am ET) with its 28th and final edition. The biennial tournament pits players from European and American teams against each other. The competition brings together 10 of the world’s best golfers across two days of play, with more than $50 million on offer for the winners.
Aside from being one of the most watched sports events in the world, the Ryder Cup also provides the ever-popular (and much-derided) matchmaking moment for two teams who have always competed against each other.
This final edition of the competition will mark Phil Mickelson’s final appearance as an active golfer. The American’s ninth appearance at the Ryder Cup makes him the most-capped player in the competition’s history. If Mickelson does not play in the final edition, he will finish third in the list of most appearances behind Thomas Bjorn.
In addition to providing the moment of gratification for the winning team, the Ryder Cup gives players from both sides an opportunity to take on each other in an exhibition ahead of the tournament. The event, which this year will run for six days and be held at a resort on Scotland’s coast, typically includes a single-hole exhibition match, or matchplay, each day of the competition.
