MAIN Recreation Sports Golf Ryder Cup 2012

Check out video clips, updates, fun facts and history, along with complete reports from the biennial 2012 Ryder Cup -- as it returns to the USA this year -- centered around Medinah Country Club, Medinah, IL just outside Chicago.

On television, watch for complete coverage of the 39th Ryder Cup tournament taking place September 28 - September 30, 2012.on NBC & ESPN in the U.S, with highlights in the U.K. on BBC and Sky Sports.

The major golf event that occurs every two years - a.k.a. the World Cup of Golf - is a two-day event in which Team USA and Team Europe square off in a heady mix of national pride and sportsmanship.

The last Ryder Cup in 2010 featured a dramatic showdown during a wild and wet week in Wales, as the USA battled back at the final. With Tiger Woods tearing up the green in what looked like a victorious comeback, it was not to be for Team USA.

In the end, it was too little too late as Team Europe took back the Ryder Cup from the Americans who had claimed victory in 2008. This, following three consecutive USA loses in 2006, 2004, and 2002.

Back on their home turf in 2012, will Team USA have a shot at winning back the coveted Cup one more time? Stay tuned ...

Ryder Cup rules & scoring

During the Ryder Cup matches, the pressure really mounts when individual players are required to let go of their "star" status and work together to win.

If one player is performing badly, the rest have to grin and bear it for the best possible outcome - namely, scoring a point for the team.

Speaking of points, Ryder Cup rules adhere to a match play format that rewards the number of points a team wins, rather than the shots players take individually.

In the end, it all adds up to victory if each team can really pull together. A match is worth one point and whichever team first accumulates 14½ points wins the Cup.

Elsewhere around the Web, learn more about this year's championship matches, rosters, scores & standings as the action heats up and teams unite on the road to Ryder Cup 2012 ....

More about the Ryder Cup around the Web:

Ryder Cup 2012 - Deep background and history of the championship along with Ryder Cup updates, U.S. and European team stats and profiles, photos, video clips, and a complete travel guide with maps & directions.

Medinah Country Club - The official Ryder Cup 2012 venue, with ticket information, related photos, video, and an online virtual tour.

Ryder Cup - Good historical overview plus an explanation of the Ryder Cup format, notable or controversial matches throughout the years, Ryder Cup trivia, a complete list of winners from 1927 to the present, and related links, from Wikipedia.

BBC Sports Academy - How does the Ryder Cup work? - The rules explained, with information on how teams are formed, the matchplay format including overviews of foursomes, fourballs, and team tactics.

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