Golf enthusiasts will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup’s differences after reading this article. A team representing the United States competes in the Presidents Cup against a team representing the rest of the globe, excluding Europe, in men’s matches.
The Ryder Cup, in comparison, is a competition that consists of male matches between teams representing the United States and Europe. Although the framework and structure of the two events are similar, the main distinction is the team makeup.
While the Ryder Cup pits the United States against Europe, the Presidents Cup includes a team of international athletes from outside of Europe. In addition, because of its long past and the intense competition it draws, the Ryder Cup is typically regarded as the more prestigious of the two competitions.
Difference Between Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup
Below are some key differences that have been tabulated between Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup, which we will discuss.
| Key Points | Presidents Cup | Ryder Cup |
| Starting Date | 1994 | 1927 |
| Methods of choosing teams | Based on the player’s ranking from the season-long points list | Based on two points lists |
| Formats | Held over four days, starting from Thursday and concluding on Sunday | A total of 28 matches were played over three days |
| Purse and Prize Money | This is distributed to charities chosen by the captains, players, and captains’ assistants | The team generally does not receive prize money. Instead, they do receive gifts from their captains, who are paid for by the Ryder Cup pool |
| Venue | Held at various locations, including the USA, Australia, South Korea, Canada, and South Africa | Held only in the USA and Europe |
| Highest Viewers | Final Day Singles matches at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club during the Presidents Cup were the most-watched Presidents Cup cable telecast in the history | During the Ryder Cup, viewers streamed a record 11.1 million minutes of the final round of the golf match. |
| Winners | In 1994, the US team won 11 of the 13 tournaments. The team’s record is impressive. From 2000 to 2011, they won seven games in a row. | From 1927 to 2018, the United States competed in 42 Ryder Cup ties, winning 26 and losing 14. |
| Opponents | The United States plays against an international team (except Europe) | The United States plays against Europe only |
We have now gained insight into several key differences between Presidents and Ryder Cup from the table above. Now we will continue to dig deeper into the topic.
Starting Date
Presidents Cup
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Prince William County, Virginia, hosted the opening of the Presidents Cup in 1994.
Ryder Cup
In Massachusetts’ Worcester Golf Club, the Ryder Cup first competed in 1927. Originally fought by the American and British teams, it is now contested every six months by the American and European teams.
Methods of Choosing Teams
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup team comprises 12 players, with eight of them earning their spots based on their ranking from the season-long points list. The remaining four players are selected by the team’s captains.
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup team is selected based on two points lists. Players must earn one point in sanctioned European Tour events and an additional point for each euro earned (equivalent to $1.33 USD) in events leading up to August 12 of the Ryder Cup year. The top five players from the Ryder Cup European Points List and another five players from the Ryder Cup World Points List are generally selected, with the remaining two players chosen by the team captains.
Formats
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup is typically held over four days, starting on Thursday and concluding on Sunday. The first three days feature team matches, including alternate shot (foursomes) and better ball (four-ball), followed by Sunday singles.
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup follows a specific format for the 28 matches played over three days. The first two days consist of four morning foursomes matches four afternoon four-ball matches, and the third-day feature 12 singles matches.
Purse and Prize Money
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup’s net proceeds are typically distributed to charities chosen by the captains, players, and captains’ assistants.
Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup competitors do not receive prize money, but they do receive gifts from their captains, who are paid for from the Ryder Cup pool. During his tenure as captain, Tony Jacklin pioneered the practice of giving Ryder Cup players gifts.
Venue
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup is held at various locations, including the USA, Australia, South Korea, Canada, and South Africa. The tournament changes its venue every edition. The USA team has won 11 out of 13 matches, with one tie.
These are some notable venues where the Presidents Cup has been held:
- 2019: Royal Melbourne Golf Club Melbourne, Australia
- 2017: Liberty National Golf Club Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
- 2015: Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea Incheon, South Korea
- 2013: Muirfield Village Dublin, Ohio, USA
- 2011: Royal Melbourne Golf Club Melbourne, Australia
- 2009: Harding Park Golf Club San Francisco, California
- 2007: Royal Montreal Golf Club Montreal, Canada
- 2005: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Gainesville, Virginia, USA
- 2003: Fancourt, South Africa
- 2000: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Gainesville, Virginia, USA
- 1998: Royal Melbourne Golf Club Melbourne, Australia
- 1996: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Gainesville, Virginia, USA
- 1994: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Gainesville, Virginia, USA
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup venues can alternate between courses in the USA and Europe. The USA dominated much of the early competition, winning 25 Ryder Cup events prior to 1983, but also earned two ties.
The following are some of the remarkable venues where the Ryder Cup has been held:
- 2010: Celtic Manor Resort, Wales
- 1999: The Country Club, Brookline, MA
- 1963: East Lake Country Club, Atlanta, GA
- 1959: Eldorado Country Club, Palm Desert, CA
- 1949: Ganton Golf Club, Scarborough, England
- 2014: Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland
- 1979: The Greenbrier, White Sulfer Springs, WV
- 2016: Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, MN
- 2006: The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland
- 1975: Laurel Valley Golf Club, Ligonier, PA
Highest Viewers
Presidents Cup
The Final Day Singles matches at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club during the Presidents Cup became the most-viewed cable telecast in Presidents Cup history. At the same time, on the tournament’s first day, they had several audience deliveries of 1.742 million viewers per minute, with 1.705 million viewers per minute, turning it into a linear telecast. The viewership peaked at over 2.15 million per minute between 11:15 to 11:30 PM.
Ryder Cup
Record-breaking streaming figures were reported during the Ryder Cup, with viewers streaming 11.1 million minutes of the golf match’s final round on Sunday. Europe’s top 12 golfers won by 17 ½ – 10 ½ over their American counterparts at Le Golf National in the French capital.
Winners
Presidents Cup
Since the first Presidents Cup in 1994, the US team has won 11 of the 13 tournaments. The team’s record is impressive. From 2000 to 2011, they won seven games in a row. The only time the tournament was won by the International team, which is made up of players from outside of Europe and the US, was in 1998. In 2003, the tournament was a tie.
Ryder Cup
From 1927 to 2018, the United States competed in 42 Ryder Cup ties, winning 26 and losing 14. During the same time period, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland contested 22 matches, with only three wins and 18 losses. From 1979 to 2018, Europe contested 20 matches, winning 11 and losing 8.
Top Player
Presidents Cup
The following are some of the best Presidents Cup players:
- Brooks Koepka (8,310 Points)
- Justin Thomas (6,949 Points)
- Dustin Johnson (6,643 Points)
- Patrick Cantlay (5,898 Points)
Ryder Cup
The following are some of the best Ryder Cup players:
- Jack Nicklaus: 18.5 points (17-8-3)
- Nick Faldo: 25 points (23-19-4)
- Bernhard Langer: 24 points (21-15-6)
- Colin Montgomerie: 23.5 points (20-9-7)
Conclusion
The Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup are both great competitions and cannot be compared as better or worse than one another. The Ryder Cup has been played since 1927, while the Presidents Cup began in 1994.
The Presidents Cup is gaining popularity as the matches are contested internationally. However, the Ryder Cup is more prestigious than the Presidents Cup due to its global recognition.
Finally, both tournaments offer unique and exciting experiences for players and fans. Each competition has a special place in the hearts of golf fans around the world.
FAQs
Which is the bigger Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup?
The Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup are great competitions. But, the Presidents Cup is currently considered less prestigious than the Ryder Cup. Because it has been in existence for a shorter period of time. While the Ryder Cup originated in 1927, the Presidents Cup was first played in 1994.
Has the U.S. ever lost the Presidents Cup?
Yes. In 1998, at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, the International team achieved their only victory over the Americans in the history of the Presidents Cup. This was an exceptional win as four American players went winless, including David Duval, the second-best US player in 1996.
Tiger Woods debuted with a record of 2-3-0, including a Sunday singles victory over Greg Norman. Seven International players scored 3 or more points, and Shigeki Maruyama was perfect, with a record of 5-0-0.
Which President has the most trophies?
The Detroit Red Wings hold the record for winning the most Presidents Trophies. This team has won a total of six victories. The following teams are: The Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Washington Capitals. These team has three victories each.
Where did the Ryder Cup trophy come from?
In the beginning of 1926, the concept of a golf match between American and British professional golfers emerged, with Ryder sponsoring the event. The first official Ryder Cup was held in 1927, and a gold trophy was donated by Ryder. Latterly, the tournament has become an integral part of golfing history.
Can LIV golfers play in Ryder Cup?
Ryder Cup have only a few months remaining. But, the PGA Tour players are still not allowed to participate in the event. Even though many PGA Tour players have expressed their support for defectors such as Jon Rahm, the suspension of LIV Golf players remains in effect, preventing their participation.
Why is the Ryder Cup so special?
The lack of prize money is perhaps the most important factor that distinguishes the Ryder Cup. Players compete in the tournament to represent their nation. The players try their best to help their team at any cost. Most significantly, they play because they love the game.
Why is Europe not in the Presidents Cup?
Because, The main aim of Presidents Cup is to play with different countries except Europe. On the other hand, the Ryder Cup competition features the United States versus Europe. But, the Presidents Cup has the U.S. team playing against an “International” team consisting of all countries except Europe. The Presidents Cup is held biennially in non-Ryder Cup years.
- Read Also: Ryder Cup History, Winners, and More
