Ryder Cup not counted. Each hole is won by the team whose individual golfer has the lowest score. A singles match is a standard match play competition between two golfers. The format of the Ryder Cup has changed over the years. From the inaugural event until 1959, the Ryder Cup was a two-day competition with 36-hole matches. In 1961 the matches were changed to 18 holes each and the number of matches doubled. In 1963 the event was expanded to three days, with fourball matches being played for the first time. This format remained until 1977, when the number of matches was
1981 Ryder Cup winner of the 1981 PGA Championship (which finished on August 9), provided he was not in the top 11, in which case the 12th player in the points list would qualify (Howard Twitty). With his victory in the PGA Championship, Larry Nelson gained the last slot. Nelson had finished 17th in the points list. Nelson qualified by virtue of winning the 1981 PGA Championship. "18 September 1981" "19 September 1981" "20 September 1981" Each entry refers to the Win–Loss–Half record of the player. Source: 1981 Ryder Cup The 24th Ryder Cup Matches were held 18–20 September 1981 at the Walton