What are foursomes, who is playing, and why on earth is that rather inebriated spectator cosplaying as George Washington? The Ryder Cup can be a dizzying beast to wrap your head around if you’re not a seasoned golf enjoyer.
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Bethpage in Farmingdale, New York will host this year’s Ryder Cup. – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Whatarefoursomes,whoisplaying,andwhyonearthisthatratherinebriatedspectatorcosplayingasGeorgeWashington?TheRyderCupcanbeadizzyingbeasttowrapyourheadaroundifyou’renotaseasonedgolfenjoyer.
Insuchheadspinningcircumstances,it’shelpfultostartwiththebasics.Sowithoutfurtherado,here’sadrivethroughtheformatsoyoucangetuptospeednowthatplayisunderwayatNewYork’sBethpageBlackGolfCourse.
WhatistheRyderCup?
Launchedin1927,theRyderCupisabiennialtournamentthatpitsthebestgolfersfromtheUnitedStatesandEuropeagainsteachotherinabattleforbraggingrightsandashinygoldtrophy.
Thatwasn’talwaysthesetup:forthefirst50years,itwasstrictlyTeamUSAversusTeamGreatBritain(renamedGreatBritain&Irelandbetween1973and1977).Theproble
