Past Results

In 1927 English seed merchant Samuel Ryder presented the Ryder Cup to the Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain as a prize for an international competition between American and British professional golfers.

The cup was commissioned for £250. It stands 17 inches high, is nine inches from handle to handle and weighs four pounds. The figure at the top is Abe Mitchell, friend and instructor of Ryder.

A bout of appendicitis prevented Mitchell from competing in the inaugural match, but he played in 1929, 1931 and 1933.

He had been employed at an annual fee of £1,000 by Ryder, who was encouraged to take up golf in his fifties after a bout of ill-health caused by over-work.

Born in Manchester in 1858, Ryder decided to go into business on his own, moved south and formed the Heath and Heather Seed Company. It was a huge success and with his social standing growing too he became mayor of St Albans in 1906.

He joined the Verulam club in the city, practised rain or shine six days a week for a year and having got his handicap down to six was elected club captain.

Ryder lived to see two Ryder Cups on British soil. He died in 1936 at the age of 77 and his favourite mashie club was placed in his coffin.

During the 1977 contest Jack Nicklaus approached the PGA and suggested it become America v Europe. This was adopted for 1979 with Seve Ballesteros and fellow Spaniard Antonio Garrido becoming the first continentals to take part.

The same year the format was changed to fourballs and foursomes on each of the first two days and then singles.