Ryder Cup at a glance

[September 22, 2012]  MEDINAH, Ill. (AP) -- Facts and figures for the Ryder Cup:

Event: 39th Ryder Cup matches.

Dates: Sept. 28-30.

Course: Medinah was a 1920s project of Chicago's Ancient Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and was named after Medina, a city in Saudi Arabia that is one of Islam's most holy sites. The No. 3 course was completed in 1928 and originally designed for women members. It since has been redesigned four times, with Rees Jones made additional tweaks for the Ryder Cup. At 7,658 yards, it will be the longest ever for a Ryder Cup.

Format: Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Points: Europe needs 14 points to retain the cup. The United States needs 14 1/2 points to win the cup.

Series: United States leads 25-11-2.

Last time: In a thrilling conclusion to a rain-filled week in Wales, Graeme McDowell made a 15-foot birdie on the 16th hole and closed out Hunter Mahan on the 17th to secure another win for Europe, 14 1/2-13 1/2. It was the first time since 1991 the Ryder Cup was decided by the 12th and final singles match. Rain forced the first Monday finish in Ryder Cup history. Europe led, 9 1/2-6 1/2, going into the 12 singles and appeared to have it hand until a late American rally. Rickie Fowler birdied his last three holes for an improbable halve, setting the stage for the McDowell-Mahan match to decide it.

Captains: Jose Maria Olazabal (Europe), Davis Love III (United States).

European roster: Nicolas Colsaerts, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood.

U.S. roster: Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson, Tiger Woods.

Tale of the tape: The 24 players from each team all are among the top 35 in the world ranking. Europe has nine players who have combined to win 15 tournaments this year. The United States has 11 players who have combined to win 15 tournaments this year.

Key statistic: The Americans do not have a single player with a winning Ryder Cup record. Europe has eight players with a winning Ryder Cup record.

Noteworthy: Tiger Woods has played on only one winning Ryder Cup team.

Quoteworthy: "Don't worry about bogeys. Don't even worry too much about pars. You're got to make birdies or you're going to get beat. It's match play. And it's very aggressive match play." -- Graeme McDowell, on what he would tell a rookie about the Ryder Cup.

Television (all times EDT): Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., ESPN. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., NBC Sports. Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., NBC Sports.

[Associated Press]

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