Cross-atlantic golf tournaments began in 1921 with an informal match between the US and Britain at Gleneagles in Scotland, which the British won.
In 1926 English seed merchant and entrepreneur Samuel Ryder became interested in the tournament while viewing a second informal match. Ryder, from St Albans in Hertfordshire, had tea with British and American team members and they suggested that he provide a trophy and encourage the establishment of matches on a regular basis. He agreed and commissioned the design of a gold cup for £250. The cup was designed by Mappin & Webb Company.
The first official Ryder Cup Matches were arranged for June 3rd and 4th, 1927, at the Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts.
35 matches have been played every two years barring the years between 1937 and 1947 when no matches were played because of the second World War.
So far the US has won 24 matches and Europe/Great Britain has won 11.