The 37th Ryder Cup Matches were held September 19–21, 2008, in the United States at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Team USA won 16 - 11 to end the streak of three successive victories for Europe. This was USA's largest margin of victory since 1981 and the first time since 1979 that the Americans had held the lead after every session of play. The team captains were Paul Azinger for the US and Nick Faldo for Europe.
The U.S. team had been in the lead since the contest began on the Friday. Europe was two points behind going into the Sunday singles matches. They had only previously overturned a deficit once before, in 1995. USA won the majority of the first matches out and subsequently Jim Furyk defeated Miguel Ángel Jiménez 2 & 1 to win his match and win the Ryder Cup for the USA. Other matches still out on the course would see this margin of victory increase further. Following the defeat Nick Faldo was heavily criticised for his decision to "bottom load" his best players in the singles when the Americans only needed 5 points to win which they got before they could have any effect on the overall outcome.
Television
All matches were covered live in the United States. ESPN handled Friday coverage. Mike Tirico and Andy North hosted from the 18th tower, with Curtis Strange calling holes, and on-course reporters Billy Kratzert and Judy Rankin. With Azinger, ESPN's lead analyst, captaining the U.S. team, North was moved to the booth to fill Azinger's seat. NBC Sports covered the weekend action, with Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller hosting from the 18th tower, Gary Koch and Bob Murphy calling holes, and on-course reporters Mark Rolfing, Roger Maltbie, and Dottie Pepper.
Format
The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point. The competition format used in 2008 was:
Day 1 (Friday)—four foursomes (alternate shot) matches in the morning session and four fourball (better ball) matches in the afternoon Day 2 (Saturday)—four foursome matches in the morning and four fourball matches in the afternoon Day 3 (Sunday)—12 singles matches
With a total of 28 points available, 14 points were required to win the cup, and 14 points for the defending champion to retain it. All matches were played over a maximum 18 holes.
For the first time since 1995, the opening matches featured foursomes. US captain Paul Azinger chose the format, hoping to give his team an early advantage in Kentucky. Foursomes was used in the first sessions of every event since 1981 until European captain Seve Ballesteros opened with better ball (fourball) in 1997 at Valderrama.
Team qualification and selection
United States
The selection process was radically changed for 2008. The United States team consisted of: The top eight players on the Ryder Cup Points List Points gained from money earned in majors in 2007 and official PGA tour events in 2008 up to (i.e. up to and including money earned at the 2008 PGA Championship). Money earned in 2008 majors counted double and money earned in 2008 events played opposite the majors or World Golf Championships counted half. The new points system was only announced in November 2006 after the previous system had started. Under the previous system players earned points from August 27, 2006, when they finished in the top 10 in official events. Because of the late change to the qualification rules, players who had finished in the top 10 during the period from August 27 to November 5, 2006, were awarded a quarter of a point for every $1,000 earned. Four captain's picks
Europe
The qualification process was the same as in 2006. The European team consisted of: The top five players on the Ryder Cup World Points List Total points earned in Official World Golf Ranking events from 2007 to 2008 and then only in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, which ended on August 31. The five players, not qualified above, on the Ryder Cup European Points List Money earned in official European Tour events from 2007 to 2008 Two captain's picks The final line-up for the European team was announced after the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on August 31, 2008. Søren Hansen, Oliver Wilson and Justin Rose were the last three automatic qualifiers after successful tournaments. Nick Faldo handed wildcards to Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.
Teams
Captains
The team captains were Paul Azinger for the US and Nick Faldo for Europe.
Vice-captains
The USA vice-captains were Olin Browne, Raymond Floyd and Dave Stockton.
The only European vice-captain was José María Olazábal. Paul McGinley had been announced as a vice-captain in May 2007 but resigned in September 2007.