The Ryder Cup, one of the most prestigious events in golf, was first spearheaded by a man, Samuel Ryder, who didn’t pick up a club until he was almost 50 years old
The Ryder Cup, which begins at Bethpage Black on Friday, is one of the biggest events in golf and by far the sport’s greatest team event. The biennial competition takes its name from a man who didn’t play until he was almost 50.
Long before the prestigious event made its way to Long Island in New York, Samuel Ryder forged the idea of an official contest between the United States and Great Britain. Born in 1858, Ryder built up a considerable wealth as a seed merchant.
The Manchester-born businessman relocated to St Albans, where he assumed the positions of mayor and justice of the peace. Ryder was 49 when he discovered golf through his friend, Reverend Frank Wheeler, who advised him: “What you need is fresh air and exercise. Come out with me on the golf course and hit a few balls.”
Ryder quickly fell in love with the game and became a member of the greens committee at his local club for two decades. In 1921, the first unofficial match between professionals from Great Britain and the United States was played at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Considered a warm-up tournament before the Open Championship at St Andrews, it was the first time 12 golfers from either side of the Atlantic had gone head-to-head. GB won 9-3.
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In 1926, the second unofficial game was played at Wentworth in Surrey. Impressed by what he saw, Ryder decided to make the event a regular ‘official’ occurrence. He struck a deal with the British PGA and donated a £250 17in tall gold cup adorned with a golfing figure on top. That figure reflects the image of Abe Mitchell, a leading golfer at the time who was supported by Ryder.
The first official event took place in Massachusetts in 1927, with the US winning 9.5-2.5. The competition proved a hit, becoming a biennial affair that alternated between the US and UK.
Ryder died in London in 1936, aged 77. The press paid tribute to his enormous contribution to golf, writing: “The devotion of Mr Ryder to the game of golf was shown during the match at Southport over two years ago when he travelled to the North under the care of a nurse.
“On each of the two days of the match, Mr Ryder had to be assisted into a car to travel to the course. There, he was helped to a seat in the open from which he would view a part of the course.
“A great believer in British golf standards he resented strongly an assertion that our Ryder Cup team of 1931 was a collection of ‘has beens’. He offered a wager of £1,000 that the British players would prove their superiority over the Americans.”
After years of American domination, players from Ireland joined the GB team in 1977. Two years later, players from continental Europe were incorporated.
This made the contest far more competitive and paved the way for it to become one of the biggest events in sport, not just golf. And it was all thanks to a brainwave from one Samuel Ryder.
The 2025 event will see the US attempt to regain the trophy, having lost it following a thrilling contest in Rome two years ago.
Watch the Ryder Cup with discounted Sky Sports package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the Ryder Cup, saving members £336 and offering all three days of the 2025 competition live with extended coverage.
