2006 Ryder Cup

Infobox Ryder Cup
year = 2006

dates = 22–24 September
venue = The K Club
location = County Kildare, Ireland
home = EU
away = US
homecaptain = Ian Woosnam
awaycaptain = Tom Lehman
homescore = 18½
awayscore = 9½
result = Europe retainsThe 36th Ryder Cup Matches were held 22–24 September 2006 at The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Team Europe won the competition by a score of 18½ to 9½ points, equalling their record winning margin of 2 years earlier. This was the first time Europe had achieved three successive victories. [The sequence from 1985-1987-1989 included a tie in 1989, retaining the trophy for Europe. ] Swedish rookie Henrik Stenson made the winning putt, just moments after Luke Donald had sunk a putt to ensure Europe retained the trophy. [ If the 'dormie' situation is taken into account, then half points can be 'virtually' added from matches still in play where Europe were guaranteed half a point. From this viewpoint, Europe's retention of the trophy was sealed when David Howell sealed his win over Brett Wetterich, and the win was certain when Luke Donald beat Chad Campbell. However, because players in a 'dormie' situation can still be disqualified and lose their match, the scoreboard and the records of the tournament only take account of concluded matches, and so the records credit Donald with ensuring that Europe retained the trophy and rookie Henrik Stenson with guaranteeing the victory. ]

Format

The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point. The competition format used in 2004 and 2006 was as follows:
*Day 1 (Friday) — 4 four-ball (better ball) matches in a morning session and 4 foursome (alternate shot) matches in an afternoon session
*Day 2 (Saturday) — 4 four-ball matches in a morning session and 4 foursome matches in an afternoon session
*Day 3 (Sunday) — 12 singles matchesWith a total of 28 points, 14½ points were required to win the Cup, and 14 points were required for the defending champion to retain the Cup. All matches were played to a maximum of 18 holes.

Teams

The top ten players for the USA and Europe as determined by their points performance (variously calculated by their local PGA) received an automatic place on the team. The remaining two players on each team were selected at the discretion of the team Captain. Team USA was finalized on August 21, while qualification for Team Europe ended on September 3. The Official World Golf Rankings shown are as of 17 September 2006, the last set issued before the Ryder Cup. The average ranking of the American team was 29.4 and that of the European team was 22.8.

Afternoon foursomes

unday's singles matches

Colin Montgomerie - who won his singles match 1-up - has a singles record of 6 wins, 2 draws and no defeats in his 8 Ryder Cup singles matches.

Course

The K Club has two Arnold Palmer-designed championship courses and the 36th Ryder Cup was held on the "Palmer Course" (also known as the North or Old Course). The course is a parkland course located on the banks of the River Liffey, threaded through mature woodlands on the Straffan country estate. A temporary hospitality unit erected alongside the 17th fairway during the tournament has been permanently relocated to Great Leighs Racecourse in England.

Notes

ee also

*2006 in golf
*2006 European Tour
*2006 PGA Tour

External links

* [http://www.rydercup.com/2006/usa/ Official Ryder Cup site for Team USA]
* [http://www.rydercup.com/2006/europe/ Official Ryder Cup site for Team Europe]
* [http://www.golfrewind.com/showthread.php?t=25805 Ryder Cup] Discussion
* [http://www.ryderdiary.com Ryder Cup Diary]
* [http://www.kclub.ie Official K Club website]