Ryder Cup Fast & Fascinating Facts: Garcia Gallops to Ryder Record

Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, Ryder Cup in 2018
Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy in 2018

Todays golfing fast and fascinating facts. Who holds the Ryder Cup points record and when has it been called off? Could it be this year?

García Gallops to Ryder Record

Since Team Europe replaced Great Britain & Ireland in 1977 to take on the might of
the USA in the biennial Ryder Cup, Spain’s Sergio García has become the record
European points winner, moving to 258½ Ryder Cup points after beating Rickie
Fowler 2&1 in the Sunday singles at Le Golf National as Europe secured an
emphatic 17½ – 10½ victory.

Playing as a captain’s pick in what was his ninth Ryder Cup in France in 2018,
García – who is also the youngest Ryder Cup debutant at 19 years, 258 days – won
three points in Paris – one on each day – to surpass Nick Faldo’s previous record
points haul of 25 points and write his name in the history books.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Atlantic, American Billy Casper has the won
the most Ryder Cup points for the Stars & Stripes with 23½ points in eight Ryder Cup
appearances from 1961-1975, closely followed by the legendary Arnold Palmer
whose personal Ryder Cup points haul was 23 points from 32 matches.

Ryder Cup 2018
Ryder Cup 2018

Mind the Gap

In the entirety of its 93-year-history, the biennial Ryder Cup has only failed to take
place as scheduled on five occasions, first, in 1939, 1941, 1943 and 1945 due to
World War II, then, in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in
New York. However, the 34th Ryder Cup, scheduled for The Belfry in England in September was not cancelled, but simply postponed for a year, European going on to win by
15½–12½ at the same venue.

Meanwhile, the unintended consequence of that postponement meant that the
equivalent USA v Europe event – the Solheim Cup – found itself displaced, now
taking place biennially, hoist venues alternating between the USA and Europe in
odd-numbered year.

And all eyes will be on the spread of the COVID-19 virus in general and in the USA in
particular, in order that a decision can be made on the viability – or otherwise – of the
43rd Ryder Cup, scheduled for Whistling Straits, Haven, Wisconsin United States
from 25th to 27th September 2020.


Ryder Cup Fast & Fascinating Facts: Straight to the Point and The Joy of Six

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