There are 28 points available over the three-day contest. Europe need 14 points to retain the cup as, in the event of a tie, the trophy remains with the holders.

There are 12 players on each team. Today and Saturday, Europe and the USA will square off over the fourballs and foursomes formats with a possible eight points available per day.

Ian Woosnam decided yesterday on the order of play, opting for the fourballs to be played this morning, and foursomes in the afternoon.

In the foursomes and the fourballs, there are two players on each team.

In foursomes, the golfers play alternate shots, with one player driving on the odd-numbered holes and the other on the even.

Fourballs is a format where golfers play their own ball, with the lowest score, if there is one, winning the hole. Matchplay applies in both formats.

On the Sunday, there will be 12 singles matches. If a player from one team is unable to play through illness then the opposing captain will retire one of his players and that game will be considered a half point each.

On TV: Sky Sports 1 (7am -7pm), RTÉ2 (6-9pm), BBC2 (8.30-10.30),